Description
This Easy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a delightful one-pan dinner featuring tender chicken breasts seared to perfection, simmered with penne pasta in savory chicken broth, and finished with a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a delicious, fuss-free meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450g), boneless and skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces (225g) penne pasta
- 2 cups (480ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (120ml) honey BBQ sauce
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil and Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil over medium heat for 2 minutes until shimmering. Add whole chicken breasts and sear until golden brown on each side, about 4-5 minutes per side. Note that the chicken might not be fully cooked at this point.
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a plate to rest for a few minutes. Once rested, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Add Pasta and Broth to Pan: To the same pan (don’t clean out the browned bits as they add flavor), add the penne pasta and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer Pasta: Cook the pasta while simmering for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta should be al dente or slightly firmer than usual.
- Return Chicken and Add Sauce: Add the sliced chicken back into the pan and pour the honey BBQ sauce over the ingredients. Stir gently to combine and warm for about 3 minutes.
- Simmer to Meld Flavors: Allow everything to simmer together for another 3 minutes, so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed by adding more honey for sweetness or salt and pepper to your preference.
- Serve: Serve the honey BBQ chicken penne hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
- Do not discard the browned bits in the pan after searing the chicken; they enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Simmer the pasta until just al dente to avoid overcooking during the final simmer with the sauce.
- Adjust honey BBQ sauce amount for preferred sweetness and tanginess.
- Use fresh parsley or green onions as a garnish to add color and freshness.
- Optionally, salt and pepper can be added at various stages for additional taste.
