BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} Recipe
BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} is the ultimate comfort food mashup—juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and sweet-spicy BBQ sauce all twirled together in one skillet with tender pasta and a blanket of melted mozzarella. This dish is for those nights when you crave something hearty, flavorful, and wonderfully easy, but still want a meal that packs in color, texture, and a little wow factor. With every bite, you’ll get smoky, creamy, and tangy notes, making this recipe a weeknight hero you’ll want to share with family and friends!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how approachable this lineup is—each ingredient brings something essential to the BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan}, whether it’s rich color, a punch of smokiness, or that irresistible melty finish. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a tip for every single item:
- Bacon lardons: These add a savory depth and crisp bite, bringing big flavor right from the start without needing extra oil.
- Chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces, they cook quickly and soak up all the saucy goodness.
- Onion: Chopped for sweetness that rounds out all the bold BBQ flavors.
- Garlic cloves: Crushed garlic builds an aromatic backbone—don’t skip it for that irresistible base flavor.
- Red peppers: Their sweetness and vibrant color brighten up the whole dish (plus, they’re great for sneaking in veggies).
- Dry pasta: Choose your favorite shape—short cuts like penne or fusilli work best for soaking up sauce.
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: The base of your sauce, they bring a tangy freshness and body to the dish.
- Sweet smoked paprika: This amplifies the smoky BBQ notes—smoked paprika is key for that outdoorsy flavor.
- BBQ sauce: Go bold, go sweet, go spicy—this is the personality of your BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan}.
- Hot vegetable stock: Hot stock means faster cooking and a silkier sauce without the risk of clumping.
- Grated mozzarella: For that essential gooey melt and golden finish under the grill.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Always season to taste—it brings all the individual flavors into harmony.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan}
Step 1: Sizzle the Bacon
Start by heating your largest sauté pan over medium heat. Toss in the bacon lardons and let them cook for 5 minutes until they’re deeply golden and just a little crispy. You won’t need extra oil—the bacon will render enough fat to cook the rest. The aroma at this point is half the reason to make BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan}!
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Next, add your chicken pieces directly into the pan with the bacon. Let them sizzle for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the outside is sealed and beginning to turn golden. This step ensures juicy chicken later on and helps the pieces absorb every layer of flavor.
Step 3: Soften the Veggies
To the pan, toss in your chopped onions, crushed garlic, and diced red peppers. Cook for another 5 minutes. The onions and garlic build a flavorful, aromatic base while the peppers soften and add a splash of color, making BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} as appealing to look at as it is to eat.
Step 4: Building the Sauce & Simmer
Time for the magic! Add the dry pasta, chopped tomatoes, smoked paprika, BBQ sauce, and most of the hot vegetable stock (about 500ml). Season with salt and pepper, then give everything a hearty stir. Put the lid on and let it all simmer for 15-20 minutes until the pasta is cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed. If the pan looks a little dry before the pasta is done, just add a splash more stock.
Step 5: Preheat the Grill
Five minutes before the pasta finishes cooking, crank your oven’s grill to high. This ensures that when you add the cheese, you’re ready for that gorgeous golden topping, signature to BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan}.
Step 6: Add the Cheese and Grill
Once the pasta is soft and the sauce thickened, give it one last good stir. Scatter the grated mozzarella on top in an even layer and slide the whole pan under the hot grill for 3-5 minutes. Watch closely—you want your cheese melted and bubbling with golden brown patches!
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan}
Garnishes
A little garnish goes a long way! Try scattering freshly chopped parsley or basil on top for a pop of green and a burst of freshness. For extra zing, a sprinkle of chili flakes or a squeeze of fresh lemon offers a subtly spicy or citrusy lift to BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan}. Don’t forget a final crack of black pepper!
Side Dishes
This one-pan wonder is hearty enough to stand alone, but if you want to round out the meal, try it with warm garlic bread for scooping every bit of sauce. A crisp green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette makes a fresh, crunchy complement to the smoky sweetness of BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan}.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve up this dish family-style right from the pan so everyone can dig in and help themselves—it makes dinner feel fun and communal. For a party, spoon BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} into individual ramekins, top with extra mozzarella, and give each serving a quick trip under the grill for personalized bubbly tops.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow any extras to cool fully before transferring to airtight containers. Stored in the fridge, BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} will stay fresh and tasty for up to 3 days—making it a brilliant choice for meal prep or next-day lunches.
Freezing
If you want to save portions for another time, freeze cooled BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating, and don’t forget to label with the date so you never lose track of your comfort food stash!
Reheating
To reheat, place the pasta in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 180°C (350°F) until piping hot (about 20 minutes). Alternatively, microwave individual servings, stirring halfway through for even heat. Add a splash of stock or water before reheating to keep everything saucy and luscious.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While short pasta shapes work best for even cooking and sauce coverage, you can use penne, fusilli, shells, or even rigatoni—whatever you have in the cupboard will work for BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan}.
Can I make BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} dairy-free?
Definitely. Swap mozzarella for your favorite dairy-free cheese or simply leave off the topping. The dish is still super flavorful without cheese, thanks to the smoky BBQ sauce and paprika.
What BBQ sauce should I use?
This is totally up to your taste! A classic sweet and tangy BBQ sauce gives BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} its signature punch, but you can dial up the spice, smokiness, or even use a honey-infused version for extra sweetness.
Can I add other veggies?
Yes, feel free to toss in spinach, sweetcorn, or even courgette (zucchini) for more veggies and color. Just add heartier vegetables early with the peppers so they have time to soften.
Can I prepare BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} in advance?
You sure can! Assemble everything up to the point before grilling, cool, cover, and refrigerate. When you’re ready, simply sprinkle with cheese and grill as directed, making weeknight dinners nearly effortless.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for a dish that’s just as perfect for busy weeknights as it is for cozy gatherings, BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} is truly a must-try. You’ll love how effortlessly everything comes together in one pan, with every spoonful delivering that sweet, smoky, and cheesy payoff. Give it a go and don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular in your kitchen!
Print
BBQ Chicken Pasta {One Pan} Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This BBQ Chicken Pasta recipe combines the smoky flavors of BBQ sauce with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and gooey melted cheese, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Bacon Lardons:
- 200 g
Chicken Breasts:
- 600 g (Cut into bite-sized pieces)
Onion:
- 1 (Peeled and chopped)
Garlic Cloves:
- 3 (Peeled and crushed)
Red Peppers:
- 2 (Deseeded and cut into bite-sized pieces)
Dry Pasta:
- 250 g
Tinned Chopped Tomatoes:
- 400 g
Sweet Smoked Paprika:
- 1 tsp
BBQ Sauce:
- 6 tbsp
Hot Vegetable Stock:
- 750 ml (See notes)
Grated Mozzarella:
- 100 g
Salt and Pepper:
- To taste
Instructions
- Heat a saute pan over a medium heat. Add the bacon lardons and fry for 5 minutes until starting to brown. (They won’t need any oil as they usually release their own fat.)
- Add the chicken pieces and cook for a further 5 minutes until the chicken is sealed and starting to brown.
- Add the onions, garlic, peppers and continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
- Add the dry pasta, chopped tomatoes, smoked paprika, BBQ sauce and 500ml/2cups of the vegetable stock and salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir and pop the lid on and cook for 15-20 minutes cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Five minutes before the pasta is due to be cooked, preheat the grill to high.
- When the pasta is cooked, give everything a good stir, sprinkle over the cheese and pop under the grill for 3-5 minutes until melted and golden.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of stock based on the pasta’s cooking requirements.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 61g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: BBQ Chicken Pasta, One-Pan Pasta, BBQ Pasta Recipe, Chicken and Pasta
