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A delicious plate of BBQ Chicken Penne is shown as the featured image for this recipe.

Best BBQ Chicken Penne Ever

This BBQ Chicken Penne recipe combines the smoky, tangy flavors of barbecue with the comforting goodness of creamy pasta. It features tender penne pasta, juicy chicken, and melted cheese, making it a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for chicken
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for pasta
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream optional
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish optional
  • Salt for pasta water

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • large skillet
  • large pot
  • colander
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • Lid for skillet

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, toss the cubed chicken with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned, flipping occasionally. Set aside.
  4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  5. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
  6. Drain the pasta well, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  7. In the same skillet you used for the chicken, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
  8. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
  9. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
  10. Pour in the BBQ sauce and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
  11. If using, stir in the heavy cream.
  12. Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the BBQ sauce.
  13. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated in the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
  14. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  15. Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta mixture.
  16. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for a minute or two, or until the cheese is melted and gooey.
  17. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
  18. Serve immediately.

Notes

Spice it up by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the BBQ sauce or using a spicy BBQ sauce. Add diced bell peppers, corn, or black beans for a veggie boost. For an extra smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika. Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Gouda. Grill the chicken for a truly authentic BBQ flavor.