Description
This One-Pot Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and convenient dinner option that combines tender chicken, smoky BBQ sauce, and a touch of honey for sweetness, all cooked together with pasta in a single pot to minimize cleanup. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder (or 2 garlic cloves, minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Pasta and Sauce
- 2 cups rotini pasta (or any short pasta)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, preparing the pan for sautéing the chicken.
- Cook and season chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pan and season them evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir to coat thoroughly.
- Sauté chicken: Cook the chicken for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are golden brown and cooked through.
- Add liquids and sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, BBQ sauce, honey, and soy sauce. Stir well to combine all the flavors evenly in the pot.
- Add pasta: Stir in the rotini pasta, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid mixture. Bring the entire mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the pasta: Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the pot. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to help the pasta absorb the flavors.
- Adjust sauce consistency: Remove the lid and stir. If the sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to thicken. If too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally sprinkle chopped parsley or green onions on top before serving to add a fresh burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier result.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the honey amount to your taste.
- If BBQ sauce is salty, reduce or omit the soy sauce for a balanced flavor.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom.
