Sticky Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta (Printable 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 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 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, about 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.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is almost nonexistent and you can go from stove to table in under an hour.
  • The honey BBQ glaze gives the chicken a caramelized, sticky coating that makes even picky eaters go back for seconds.
  • Creamy cheddar sauce hugs each piece of pasta, creating that comfort-food richness without feeling heavy or complicated.
  • It's flexible enough to use rotisserie chicken on a really busy night or add a little heat if your crowd likes spice.
02 -
  • Always use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded, because the anti-caking agents in bagged cheese can make your sauce grainy instead of smooth.
  • Don't skip wiping the skillet clean before making the cheese sauce, or leftover BBQ bits can burn and give the milk a bitter taste.
  • If your cheese sauce seems too thick, whisk in a splash of milk to loosen it up before adding the pasta.
03 -
  • Season your pasta water generously with salt so the noodles have flavor on their own before they meet the cheese sauce.
  • Don't rush the cheese melting step, keep the heat medium-low and stir constantly to avoid clumping or separation.
  • If you love extra sauce, make a half-batch more of the cheese mixture and stir it in at the end for an ultra-creamy finish.
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