Sticky Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta (Print View)

Tender honey BBQ chicken meets creamy cheddar macaroni in this irresistible one-pan skillet.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 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 apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional

→ Pasta & Cheese

10 - 10 ounces elbow macaroni or short pasta
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
14 - 2 cups whole milk
15 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
16 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Garnish

19 - 2 scallions, sliced
20 - Fresh parsley, chopped, optional

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Add to the skillet and sauté until golden and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - Lower heat to medium. Add BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce to the skillet. Stir and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Return chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sticky sauce. Remove chicken and set aside.
04 - Wipe the skillet clean. Melt butter over medium heat, then add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour, whisking constantly for 1 minute. Gradually pour in milk, whisking to avoid lumps. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
05 - Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese until smooth and melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat. Gently fold in the sticky honey BBQ chicken, mixing until well distributed.
07 - Garnish with sliced scallions and chopped parsley. Serve hot directly from the skillet.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One skillet means one thing to wash, and honestly, that alone makes busy weeknights feel manageable.
  • The honey BBQ chicken stays impossibly tender while the mac and cheese gets creamy and indulgent without feeling heavy.
  • It tastes like comfort food that somehow feels a little fancier than it actually is.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooking the pasta slightly under because it will absolutely continue cooking in the hot cheese sauce, and there's no coming back from mushy pasta except making the whole thing again.
  • If your cheese sauce breaks or gets grainy, it usually means the heat was too high, so add a splash of cold milk and whisk gently to bring it back together, which has saved my dinner more than once.
03 -
  • Buy good BBQ sauce because it's literally the main flavor vehicle, so don't settle for something that tastes generic when there are so many interesting options available.
  • The milk should be whole milk because fat carries flavor and creates that luxurious mouthfeel that makes people think you spent hours on this instead of less than an hour.
Return