Sticky Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Skillet (Print Version)

A creamy one-pan skillet featuring honey BBQ glazed chicken and cheesy macaroni, ready in 40 minutes.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Honey BBQ Sauce

06 - 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
07 - 2 tablespoons honey
08 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Pasta & Cheese

11 - 8 ounces elbow macaroni or short pasta
12 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
13 - 1 cup milk
14 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Garnish

17 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
18 - Fresh parsley, optional

# Directions:

01 - Coat chicken pieces evenly with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until lightly browned but not fully cooked through, approximately 3-4 minutes.
03 - Whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl. Pour the mixture over chicken, stirring to coat completely. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add pasta, chicken broth, and milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta reaches al dente texture and most liquid is absorbed, approximately 10-12 minutes.
05 - Lower heat to low. Stir in cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and reserved cooked chicken with sauce. Mix thoroughly until cheese melts completely and the dish achieves a creamy, well-combined consistency.
06 - Garnish with sliced green onions and fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup and more time actually enjoying your meal.
  • The combination of sticky honey BBQ and creamy cheddar tastes indulgent but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • It's the kind of dish that satisfies both picky eaters and adventurous palates at the same dinner table.
02 -
  • Don't skip removing the chicken after the initial sauté—if you cook it all the way through in the BBQ sauce, it becomes rubbery by the time you stir it back in at the end.
  • Stir the pasta frequently while it simmers so it cooks evenly and doesn't stick to the bottom; the constant motion also helps build a silky sauce naturally.
  • If your mixture seems too thick before adding the cheese, you can splash in a bit more broth; if it's too thin, just let it simmer a minute longer uncovered.
03 -
  • Use low-sodium broth because the BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and cheddar all bring saltiness; you can always add more salt but you can't take it back.
  • Keep the heat on medium-low once you add the pasta so the bottom doesn't scorch and everything stays creamy instead of clumpy.
  • If you want extra richness, swap a quarter cup of the milk for heavy cream; it makes the sauce velvety without being overwhelming.
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