Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Pasta: A Creamy and Easy Dinner

Table of Contents

• Why This Pasta Recipe is a Game-Changer
• My Secret to the Best Pasta Meal Prep
• Crafting a Truly Unforgettable Pasta Dish
• The Perfect Pairings for Your Flavorful Meal
• Troubleshooting Your Pasta Creation
• Ready to Whip Up Your Own Easy Pasta Recipe?
• The Recipe: Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Pasta
• Notes & Pro Tips

Key Takeaways

Get ready for a dinner home run! This honey garlic BBQ chicken pasta recipe is your ticket to a delicious, family-approved meal with minimal effort. It’s a fantastic easy pasta recipe that comes together in one pot, features a crave-worthy creamy sauce, and is incredibly versatile. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight fix or an impressive dish for casual entertaining, this recipe delivers flavor and simplicity in every bite.

Why This Pasta Recipe is a Game-Changer

Hey everyone, it’s Patricia from Patricia Universe! If you’re like me, you’re constantly on the hunt for dinner recipes that are both incredibly tasty and surprisingly simple to pull off. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this particular dish with you. It’s the kind of pasta easy recipe that solves the eternal “what’s for dinner?” question with a resounding, flavorful answer. It combines sweet honey, savory garlic, and smoky BBQ into a creamy sauce that clings perfectly to pasta and tender chicken, creating a harmony of flavors that everyone at your table will love.

My Secret to the Best Pasta Meal Prep

One of the things I love most about this recipe is how well it lends itself to planning ahead. By preparing components like the sauce base or chopping the chicken in advance, you can transform what seems like a from-scratch meal into a 15-minute assembly job on a busy Tuesday night. This approach makes it a cornerstone of my easy recipes for dinner repertoire. For those nights when you need something even faster, don’t forget the ultimate shortcut: using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken turns this into one of the speediest easy recipes with rotisserie chicken you’ll ever make.

Crafting a Truly Unforgettable Pasta Dish

The magic of a great easy pasta recipe lies in its balance. We’re not just boiling noodles and dumping sauce on top. Here, we build layers of flavor. Searing the chicken first creates fond—those delicious browned bits in the pan—which becomes the flavor foundation for our sauce. Simmering the garlic, honey, and BBQ sauce together before adding the cream allows the flavors to meld and deepen. This careful process ensures every forkful of your final pasta dish is rich, complex, and utterly satisfying, proving that simple ingredients can create something extraordinary.

The Perfect Pairings for Your Flavorful Meal

This hearty pasta is a complete meal on its own, but I always love rounding it out with the right sides. A crisp, simple green salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully. For something heartier, roasted asparagus or garlic bread are family favorites. If you’re exploring other quick and easy recipes, consider starting your meal with a simple caprese salad or ending it with a no-bake dessert for a stress-free, restaurant-quality dinner experience at home.

Troubleshooting Your Pasta Creation

Even the best pasta recipes can have a hiccup, but don’t worry—they’re all easy fixes! If your sauce seems too thick after adding the pasta, just stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water or a little extra chicken broth to reach the perfect consistency. Finding the sauce a bit too thin? Let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes; the steam will evaporate and thicken it right up. Remember, the key to any great pasta meal is tasting as you go and adjusting seasonings to your preference.

Ready to Whip Up Your Own Easy Pasta Recipe?

I truly hope this honey garlic BBQ chicken pasta becomes a new favorite in your kitchen as it has in mine. It’s the perfect example of how a little creativity with everyday ingredients can lead to a spectacular meal. For more inspiration, from cozy casseroles to decadent desserts, be sure to explore all the easy recipes waiting for you at Patricia Universe. Now, grab your skillet, and let’s get cooking!

The Recipe: Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Pasta

(Find the full ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the main recipe card.)

Notes & Pro Tips

Pasta Power: Short, sturdy shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli are champions for holding onto this creamy sauce. Dairy-Free Dream: Create a lush sauce without dairy by using full-fat canned coconut milk. Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a gentle, warming kick. Leftover Love: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or milk to refresh the sauce.

Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Pasta: A Creamy and Easy Dinner

This one-pot Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Pasta is the ultimate easy dinner! It combines juicy chicken, a creamy honey garlic sauce, and your favorite pasta for a quick, flavorful family meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. It’s a perfect weeknight solution that tastes like comfort food!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Dinners

Cuisine: American

Keywords: dinner recipes, easy recipes, easy recipes for dinner, easy recipes with ground beef, easy recipes with rotisserie chicken, honey garlic bbq chicken pasta, pasta easy recipes, quick and easy recipes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Patricia

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)

For the Sauce

• 1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)

For the Pasta

• 8 oz penne pasta (or pasta of choice like fusilli or rigatoni)
• Fresh chopped parsley or green onions, for garnish
• Grated parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta & Chicken

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika (if using).
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Make the Sauce & Combine

1. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the butter, minced garlic, BBQ sauce, honey, and soy sauce. Whisk together and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Let the sauce cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
3. Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the creamy honey garlic BBQ sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to heat through.

Serve

1. Remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or green onions and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese if desired.
2. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!

Notes

1. **Pasta Choice:** This sauce works great with short pasta shapes that hold sauce well, like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli.
2. **Cream Substitute:** For a lighter sauce, you can use half-and-half or whole milk mixed with a tablespoon of cornstarch. For a dairy-free version, use full-fat canned coconut milk.
3. **Chicken Shortcut:** To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Simply shred it and add it to the sauce when you would add the cooked chicken.
4. **Make it Spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while it simmers for a touch of heat.
5. **Storage:** Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce.