Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Skillet (Printable Version)

Creamy mac and cheese meets sticky honey BBQ chicken in this irresistible one-pan skillet.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 and 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:

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, straight from the skillet.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One skillet means one thing to wash, and honestly that alone makes weeknight cooking feel bearable.
  • The honey BBQ glaze is addictively sticky and sweet without ever tasting cloying or overdone.
  • Creamy cheddar pasta paired with smoky chicken creates this perfect balance that tastes restaurant-quality but took you thirty minutes.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step where you let the chicken actually sear in the hot oil, because a golden crust is where all the flavor lives.
  • Whisk the milk in slowly when making the cheese sauce, because one gluey mistake and you're starting over, and I learned this the hard way on a Wednesday night.
  • The honey BBQ chicken needs to rest separately before folding into the pasta, otherwise the heat cools the entire sauce and everything becomes lukewarm and sad.
03 -
  • Use sharp cheddar specifically because mild cheese will make this taste like cafeteria food, and you deserve better than that.
  • Toast the pasta in dry skillet before adding sauce if you want to add another layer of depth and golden flavor that makes people ask what restaurant you ordered from.
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