Last week, I was rushing home after soccer practice with two tired kids and one hangry husband texting me “What’s for dinner, honey?” Before I could even put my bags down, I knew I needed something fast, flavorful, and that didn’t leave a mountain of dishes in its wake.

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I had a pack of chicken thighs thawing, half a bottle of honey BBQ sauce from a weekend grill-out, and a box of penne pasta sitting pretty in the pantry. It wasn’t a recipe I had made before—more like a spontaneous experiment fueled by hunger and a little determination.

I threw everything into one big non-stick skillet, trusting my gut and tastebuds to lead the way. It was the kind of dinner that made everyone pause mid-bite, look up, and go, “This is REALLY good.” Even my picky 9-year-old, who usually gives any sauce that isn’t red the side-eye, went back for seconds. My husband scraped the bottom of the pan for every last cheesy bit. And me? I couldn’t believe something that took so little effort turned out that satisfying.

I’ve made this Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne three times since that night, tweaking it just slightly, and it’s become one of our go-to weeknight winners. It’s comforting, easy on the budget, and all comes together in one pan. That’s real-life dinner magic if you ask me.

Short Description

One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner made with tender chicken, pasta, and a rich honey barbecue sauce, all cooked together in one skillet for easy cleanup.

Key Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
1 cup honey barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes:

Chopped fresh parsley
Crushed red pepper flakes
Shredded cheddar cheese
Shredded mozzarella cheese

Tools Needed

Large non-stick skillet with lid
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Knife and cutting board

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, sprinkle with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 2: Deglaze the Pan
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, this adds so much flavor to the sauce.

Step 3: Build the Sauce
Stir in the honey barbecue sauce and soy sauce. Let the mixture bubble gently for 2–3 minutes to marry the flavors.

Step 4: Add Pasta and Simmer
Add the uncooked penne and just enough water to cover it (about 1 to 1½ cups). Cover the pan with a lid and reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring now and then, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Step 5: Bring It All Together
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir everything together and let it simmer uncovered for another 2–3 minutes to thicken and blend flavors.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning. Top with chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, or a sprinkle of cheddar or mozzarella cheese if you like things extra cozy. Serve hot!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor-Packed: The combo of smoky paprika, tangy BBQ, and juicy chicken is downright crave-worthy.

One-Pan Wonder: Less mess, less fuss, and more time to relax after dinner.

Family-Approved: Even the picky eaters at my table gave this one two thumbs up.

Flexible: Works with chicken thighs or breasts, and can be dressed up with whatever cheese you have on hand.

Great for Leftovers: Reheats beautifully and makes lunch the next day something to look forward to.

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Using dry chicken: If you use breasts, don’t overcook them, cut into bite-size pieces and sear just until no longer pink.

Overcooking the pasta: Keep a close eye after 10 minutes. Stir occasionally and taste-test to avoid mushy penne.

Not seasoning enough: Taste at the end and adjust with extra salt, pepper, or even a squeeze of lemon if it needs brightness.

Skipping the deglaze: Those browned bits are flavor gold, don’t leave them behind.

Adding cheese too early: Sprinkle cheese at the end so it melts gently and doesn’t burn.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve it in shallow bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and cracked black pepper.

Pair with a crisp green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette.

Garlic bread or warm rolls make great sidekicks.

A glass of iced tea or light red wine pairs nicely with the smoky, tangy flavors.

Ideal for family-style serving—just bring the pan right to the table.

Storage and Reheating Tips

To Store: Let the dish cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 4 days.

To Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

To Reheat: Add a splash of water or broth and warm gently on the stovetop or microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring between.

To Refresh: Sprinkle a bit of shredded cheese or a touch of BBQ sauce on top to revive the flavor.

FAQs

1. Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of raw?
Yes! Add it in Step 5 and simmer briefly to heat through and blend flavors.

2. What can I substitute for BBQ sauce?
Try buffalo sauce, teriyaki, or a mix of ketchup, honey, and mustard for a DIY twist.

3. Is this dish spicy?
Not unless you add the red pepper flakes. It’s flavorful but kid-friendly.

4. Can I make it vegetarian?
Sure! Swap the chicken for sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage, and use veggie broth.

5. What other pasta works besides penne?
Short pastas like rotini, fusilli, or rigatoni all cook well in one-pan dishes like this.

Tips & Tricks

Sear the chicken in batches for better browning if your pan is small.

Want more veggies? Toss in some spinach or peas during the last 5 minutes.

Always taste your sauce before serving, it’s the secret to getting it just right.

If the sauce thickens too fast, splash in more broth or warm water.

Add the cheese last for perfect gooey texture without overcooking.

Recipe Variations

Cheesy Ranch BBQ Chicken Penne
Add 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning with the paprika. Stir in ½ cup shredded cheddar at the end.

BBQ Bacon Chicken Penne
Add 4 slices cooked, crumbled bacon along with the chicken in Step 5. Use smoky BBQ sauce for a deeper flavor.

Veggie-Loaded Version
Add 1 diced bell pepper and 1 small zucchini in Step 3 with the sauce. Cook until tender before adding pasta.

Spicy BBQ Chicken Penne
Use spicy BBQ sauce and add 1 chopped jalapeño with the garlic powder.

Creamy BBQ Chicken Pasta
Add ¼ cup cream cheese at the end before stirring in the chicken for a rich, creamy finish.

Final Thoughts

Some recipes are complicated. Others are comforting. But every now and then, you get one like this—a one-pan wonder that hits all the right notes: flavor, ease, budget-friendliness, and happy faces around the table. I’ve found myself turning to it on days when the clock is ticking and patience is running low, but I still want to serve something that feels like a hug on a plate.

You just need one good skillet, a few pantry staples, and a recipe you can count on. And now, hopefully, that recipe is in your hands too. Try it once, and you’ll understand why it earned a permanent spot in my weeknight rotation.

One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne