Sticky Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Skillet (Printable)

Tender chicken pieces coated in sweet honey BBQ sauce, swirled into velvety cheddar macaroni for the ultimate comfort food in one skillet.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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 whole 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

# How-To:

01 - Season chicken pieces with salt, 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 cooked through, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
03 - Whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder in a bowl. Pour over chicken, stirring to coat evenly. 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 to 12 minutes.
05 - Lower heat to low. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and cooked chicken with sauce. Mix until cheese is completely melted and all components are creamy and well combined.
06 - Garnish with sliced green onions and fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One pan means one pan to wash, and trust me, that's a love language all its own.
  • The sticky-sweet honey BBQ glaze contrasts perfectly with sharp cheddar in a way that tastes way more complicated than it actually is.
  • Dinner hits the table in 40 minutes, so weeknight stress doesn't stand a chance.
  • It's the kind of comfort food that makes people ask for seconds without you having to ask.
02 -
  • Don't cook the chicken all the way through before removing it—it finishes cooking in the creamy pasta, and if you miss this, you'll end up with dry, rubbery pieces that no amount of sauce can save.
  • Stir the pasta occasionally as it cooks so it doesn't stick to the bottom, but don't obsess over it; this isn't risotto, and constant stirring actually works against you.
  • Use low-sodium broth because the BBQ sauce and soy sauce bring enough salt already, and oversalting is the fastest way to ruin something that was almost perfect.
03 -
  • If you want extra heat without changing the basic flavor, a pinch of cayenne pepper stirred into the glaze does the job perfectly.
  • Rotisserie chicken is your secret weapon on nights when cutting and cooking chicken feels like too much—shred it and you're basically already done.
  • A simple green salad or coleslaw on the side cuts through the richness and makes you feel like you actually ate a balanced meal instead of just comfort.
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