One-Pot Barbecue Chicken Pasta

One-Pot Barbecue Chicken Pasta is easy and quick to make in one pot using simple ingredients. It’s loaded with big flavors for a tasty weeknight dinner meal!

When I saw this recipe, I knew it would be a hit at our dinner table. With sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, al dente pasta, moist chicken, gooey cheese, and bacon crumbles, it has all the flavors we love.

Oh boy! Was it indeed a hit! G and I sat and gobbled our share without a word between us until our plates were polished clean.

I did, however, modify the original recipe a little by adding chopped bell peppers and substituting fresh tomatoes for the canned variety. I also replaced the milk with cream cheese for creaminess.

I threw in a handful of green onions, and crisp bacon crumbles just before serving for an additional pop of color and texture.

This one-pot chicken pasta takes the stress out of busy weeknights.  It comes together in minutes yet tastes like you slaved in the kitchen all day.

It needs no fancy ingredients or equipment to turn out amazing. Just simple pantry ingredients and ONE pot.

Serving suggestions

Serve as the main dish with cheesy garlic bread and tossed salad or roasted veggies for a hearty weeknight meal!

Storage and reheating instructions

• Store leftovers in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in a microwave at 2 to 3-minute intervals or in a 350 F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes or until completely heated through.

For more easy recipes, check out these one-pan chicken stroganoff and cheeseburger pasta.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @OnionRingsAndThings on Facebook and Instagram!

5 from 2 votes

One-Pot Barbecue Chicken Pasta

BBQ Chicken Pasta is quick, easy, and cooked in one pan Loaded with chicken, bacon, cheese, and BBQ flavors, it's a crowd-pleaser!

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Author: Lalaine

Course: Pasta

Print Pin It Email Recipe

8 Servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bacon, diced
• 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded, cored, and chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper, seeded, cored, and chopped
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup Barbecue sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
• 1 pound uncooked penne pasta
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 green onions, ends trimmed and chopped
• bacon crumbles, optional

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

• In a pot over medium heat, add bacon. Cook, stirring regularly until it begins to render fat. 
• Add onions, garlic and bell peppers. Cook, stirring regularly, until limp and aromatic.
• Add chicken breast and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add tomatoes and cook, mashing with the back of the spoon, until softened and release juice. 
• Add broth, barbecue sauce, and red pepper flakes. Stir until combined and bring to a boil.
• Add pasta and stir to prevent from sticking together. Lower heat, cover and cook for about 15 minutes or until pasta is cooked but firm to bite. Stir every 5 minutes to prevent pasta from burning and sticking to the pan. 
• Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Continue to cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Add cheddar cheese and stir just until melted.  
• Garnish with green onions, and bacon crumbles, if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

• If the pasta is almost done and it’s still liquidy, remove the lid and continue to cook uncovered to allow the sauce to reduce more quickly. You can also add more cheese to thicken the sauce.
• If the pasta looks dry, add more water or broth in 1/2 cup increments to loosen it.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 348g, Calories: 514kcal, Carbohydrates: 112g, Protein: 25.7g, Fat: 24.1g, Saturated Fat: 10.5g, Cholesterol: 112mg, Sodium: 1617mg, Potassium: 552mg, Fiber: 1.2g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 1350IU, Vitamin C: 50.3mg, Calcium: 160mg, Iron: 2.9mg

“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”