Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta Skillet (Printable)

Cheesy macaroni with sticky honey BBQ chicken bites in one pan

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb 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

# How-To:

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.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one skillet, which means minimal dishes and maximum flavor absorption.
  • The sweet-and-smoky sauce cuts through the richness of the cheese in the most satisfying way.
  • It tastes like restaurant comfort food but comes together faster than ordering delivery.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the chicken in the pan—it needs space to sear properly and develop color, which means browning the edges, not steaming the centers.
  • Make the cheese sauce in a clean, dry skillet because any residual BBQ sauce can cause the cheese to break or seize up unpredictably.
  • The pasta should still have a slight bite to it; overcooked pasta will fall apart when you fold it in and turn the whole dish mushy.
03 -
  • Shred your cheeses fresh rather than using pre-shredded; the anti-caking agents in store-bought can make your sauce grainy.
  • Keep the heat moderate throughout—high heat is the enemy of creamy sauces and golden chicken equally.
Return