One Pot Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Pasta

$- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces - 2 cups pasta (penne or fusilli recommended) - 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce - 1/2 cup honey - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup chicken broth - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup frozen corn - 1 bell pepper, diced (choose any color for a vibrant dish) - 1 teaspoon paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - Olive oil (for cooking) - A pinch of cayenne for heat - 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme for herb notes - Crushed red pepper for a spicy kick - Fresh parsley, chopped - Extra BBQ sauce for drizzling - Grated Parmesan cheese for a savory touch {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, grab a large pot or deep skillet. Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil and heat it over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the bite-sized chicken pieces. Season them with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook the chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir occasionally so the chicken browns evenly. You want it golden and fully cooked. Once the chicken is cooked, add the minced garlic to the pot. Sauté it for about 1 minute until it smells good. Then, pour in the BBQ sauce, honey, and chicken broth. Stir everything well to mix. Next, add the pasta to the pot. Turn up the heat to bring the mix to a gentle boil. Once boiling, lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir the pasta every so often to stop it from sticking. You want the pasta to be al dente. When the pasta is almost done, it’s time for the veggies. Add in the halved cherry tomatoes, frozen corn, and diced bell pepper. Stir to mix them in well. Let everything heat through for about 2 minutes. After that, remove the pot from the heat. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the pasta hot. For a nice touch, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top. Enjoy your meal! Cook the chicken pieces in a hot pan. This helps them brown well. Season them with salt, pepper, and paprika for flavor. Cook until they are golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Turn them often for even cooking. This ensures juicy and tender chicken in your pasta. To boost the taste, add minced garlic after cooking the chicken. Sauté it for about one minute until it smells great. Then mix in BBQ sauce and honey. These sweet and tangy flavors make the dish pop. Feel free to adjust the salt and pepper at the end for your taste. Keep an eye on the pasta while it cooks. Stir it every few minutes to stop it from sticking. Cook until it is just al dente, which means it should still have a slight firmness. This usually takes about 10 minutes. Adding veggies two minutes before the end helps them stay fresh and colorful. Pro Tips Marinate the Chicken: For enhanced flavor, consider marinating the chicken in BBQ sauce and honey for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil or cilantro can elevate the dish; sprinkle them on just before serving for freshness. Veggie Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables such as zucchini or spinach for added nutrition and color. Leftover Storage: This dish stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days; just reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. {{image_4}} You can switch out chicken for other proteins. Turkey works great and keeps it light. If you like beef, use ground beef or steak strips. For a vegetarian option, try tofu or chickpeas. These swaps keep the dish tasty while changing its flavor profile. While penne or fusilli shine here, feel free to pick your favorite pasta. Bowtie, spaghetti, or even whole wheat pasta can add a unique twist. Changing the pasta type can also change the meal's texture. Just keep an eye on cooking times to ensure everything cooks evenly. Feel free to add or swap vegetables based on your taste. Zucchini, spinach, or broccoli can all work well. You can also use frozen mixed veggies for convenience. Adding seasonal vegetables can give this dish a fresh touch. Just remember to add them at the right time to keep them vibrant and crisp. To store your One Pot Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Pasta, let it cool first. Use an airtight container. This keeps the pasta fresh for up to three days in your fridge. Ensure the container seals well to prevent air from spoiling it faster. You can also separate the sauce from the pasta if you want to keep them fresh longer. When you're ready to eat leftovers, reheat the pasta on the stove. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Heat it over low to medium heat while stirring. This helps avoid burning. You can also use the microwave. Place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a lid or damp paper towel. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until warm. If you want to save your pasta for later, freezing is a great choice. Allow the dish to cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. This can help prevent freezer burn. You can freeze the pasta for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat it as you would with leftovers for the best taste. Yes, you can prepare this dish ahead of time. Cook it as directed, then cool it down. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When you are ready to eat, reheat it on the stove over low heat. Stir it often until it warms through. This way, you save time during busy days or nights. If you want a different protein, try using shrimp or tofu. Both options work well in this dish. If using shrimp, cook it until pink, about three minutes. For tofu, use firm or extra-firm tofu and sauté it until golden. You can also use ground turkey or beef for a heartier flavor. This recipe is not spicy. The BBQ sauce and honey add sweetness and depth. If you like heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Adjust the amount to your taste. You can make it mild or kick it up a notch based on your preference. This article covered a full guide to creating a tasty meal. We explored main ingredients, optional flavors, and garnishes to enhance your dish. I shared simple steps for preparing chicken, cooking pasta, and adding veggies. You learned helpful tips to perfect your meal and various ways to customize ingredients. Lastly, we discussed how to store leftovers and answered common questions. In the end, cooking can be fun and easy. Enjoy making this dish your own!$

One Pot Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Pasta

A delicious and easy one-pot pasta dish featuring chicken, BBQ sauce, honey, and vegetables.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
0.5 cup honey
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup frozen corn
1 piece bell pepper, diced
1 teaspoon paprika
to taste salt and pepper
for cooking amount olive oil
for garnish amount fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

In a large pot or deep skillet, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil and heat it over medium heat. Once hot, add the bite-sized chicken pieces, ensuring they are seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook the chicken until it's golden and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally for even browning.
After the chicken has cooked fully, add the minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 1 minute, or until the garlic becomes fragrant and slightly golden.
Lower the heat slightly and pour in the BBQ sauce, honey, and chicken broth. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
Introduce the pasta to the pot, increasing the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta reaches al dente.
About 2 minutes before the pasta is done, add in the halved cherry tomatoes, frozen corn, and diced bell pepper. Stir to incorporate all the vegetables and heat through.
After removing the pot from the heat, taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Serve the pasta hot, and finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness.

Notes

For an elegant touch, serve the pasta in shallow bowls and drizzle a little extra BBQ sauce over the top before garnishing with parsley.

Keyword BBQ, chicken, honey garlic, one pot, pasta