Sticky Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

One-pan honey BBQ chicken with creamy cheddar macaroni. Sweet, smoky comfort food ready in 40 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Steps to Follow:

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, approximately 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, straight from the skillet.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is fast and painless even on a Tuesday night.
  • The sweet and smoky honey BBQ chicken creates little pockets of flavor that keep every bite interesting.
  • You can have this on the table in under 45 minutes without sacrificing comfort or taste.
  • It uses pantry staples and supermarket BBQ sauce, no fancy ingredients required.
02 -
  • Do not skip draining the pasta well, excess water will make your cheese sauce thin and soupy.
  • Let the chicken rest for a minute after removing it from the glaze so the sauce sets slightly and stays sticky.
  • Whisk the milk in slowly when making the cheese sauce, rushing it creates lumps that are nearly impossible to smooth out.
  • If the cheese sauce thickens too much while you're folding in the pasta, add a splash of milk to loosen it back up.
03 -
  • Use an oven safe skillet if you plan to broil the top, otherwise transfer everything to a baking dish before finishing.
  • Shred your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre shredded, it melts smoother and tastes better.
  • Let the skillet rest for a few minutes after cooking so the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the pasta instead of pooling at the bottom.
  • Double the honey BBQ glaze and keep extra on the side for drizzling over individual servings.
Return