BBQ Chicken Pasta
This BBQ Chicken Pasta dinner is loaded with bacon, chicken, cheese, and a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce, all cooked in one pan for easy clean up! Plus, this easy meal is ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!
With a creamy texture and cheesy finish, it’s the kind of meal that hits all the marks for convenience and taste. Whether you make it from pantry staples or add in extras, it’s a practical and satisfying dish that’s worth adding to your regular dinner rotation.
We love using the sauces from Sweet Baby Ray’s in this chicken BBQ pasta dish and others like Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches or this Slow Cooker BBQ Beer Chicken. The sweet and spicy was delicious in this recipe (you can use any flavor of BBQ sauce you wish) and worked out well since I was in a hurry to get dinner on the table. Oftentimes, I will use leftover chicken and this Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce that I make from scratch.
BBQ Chicken Pasta
This creamy BBQ chicken pasta recipe uses just one skillet and brings together pantry staples like dry pasta, shredded cheese, and bottled barbecue sauce. The barbecue flavor adds a bold twist to traditional cheesy pasta, and it’s easy to adjust the heat level or sweetness based on the sauce you choose.
One pan meals really do save my life sometimes. My Chicken BBQ Pasta dish is perfect for two reasons – the obvious reason, you cook it all in one skillet, which saves on time and clean up. The second reason is that if you forget to thaw the meat (as I do sometimes), you can easily substitute rotisserie chicken from the deli or pull out some leftover chicken from your freezer.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
If you’re short on time or ingredients, there are a few easy swaps and shortcuts you can use to get this dinner on the table even faster. These ideas also help you customize the dish to fit what you have in your pantry or fridge.
- Use Rotisserie Chicken – Skip cooking raw meat and use the shredded rotisserieinstead. Add it just before the cheese step.
- Pre-Cooked Bacon – Use pre-cooked bacon or bacon bits to save on prep and cooking time.
- Change the Cheese – Cheddar, mozzarella, Colby Jack, or a blend all work well.
- Make it Spicy – Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne to give the sauce more heat.
- Add Veggies – Stir in frozen corn, canned black beans, or chopped bell peppers for more texture and flavor.
These quick changes let you cut down on cook time or use what you already have on hand. Whether you need to save time or change up the flavor, this recipe is easy to adapt.
What to Make with BBQ Chicken Pasta
To round out this one pot BBQ chicken pasta meal, pair it with simple sides that balance the richness of the dish. These options add freshness, texture, and variety to the meal.
- Easy Yeast Rolls from Scratch
- Creamy Coleslaw with Poppy Seed Dressing
- Easy Prep Ahead Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Greek Salad with Grape Tomatoes and Feta
These sides are quick to prepare and complement the smoky, cheesy flavors of the pasta. Choose one or two to make this meal feel complete without extra effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let the pasta cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for best freshness. For longer storage, freeze the pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Yes, reheat it gently in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of broth or milk to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally until warmed through.
This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see my disclosure policy.
Suggested Amazon Kitchen Tools for Cooking
You don’t need any fancy equipment to make this simple skillet meal. Just a few basic kitchen tools will help keep prep and cleanup easy.
Cuisinel Cast Iron Skillet with Lid – 12
GORILLA GRIP 100% BPA-Free Reversible Kitchen Cutting Board Set of 3, Nonporous, Juice Grooves to Catch Liquid, Slip Resistant Handle Border, Dishwasher Safe, Durable Large Food Chopping Boards, BlackHENCKELS Classic Razor-Sharp 8-inch Slicing Knife, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery, Stainless SteelKitchenAid Universal Easy To Read Measuring Cup and Spoon Set with Soft Grip Handle for Maximum Control, Hang Hole and Nesting For Easy Storage, Dishwasher Safe, 9 Piece, Blue VelvetCooking Spoon and Rice Scooper for Nonstick Cookwares, Great for Cooking and Serving Sturdy BPA-Free Matte Silicone, Wood Handle Spoon for Mixing, Scoop, and Scrape (GREY)
These tools are likely already in your kitchen and are perfect for quick weeknight meals. Having everything ready makes cooking faster and more efficient from start to finish.
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Pasta
Here’s a quick look at the core ingredients you’ll need to make this easy one pan dinner. These components work together to deliver smoky, creamy, and satisfying flavor in every bite.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – Lean protein that cooks quickly and absorbs flavor well.
- Rotini Pasta – Spiral shape holds onto the sauce for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce – The key flavor element for that smoky-sweet kick.
- Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese – Melts into a rich, creamy finish.
- Bacon – Adds savory, crispy texture and bold flavor.
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes – Adds depth and subtle smokiness.
- Chicken Stock – Helps cook the pasta and build the sauce.
- Garlic and Onion – Aromatic base for bold, layered flavor.
These are the essential items that bring the dish together without overwhelming your grocery list. Stick to this core list or add your own twist depending on what you have on hand.
How to Make Easy BBQ Chicken Pasta
In a large skillet, cook bacon until it’s crisp. Remove from pan and drain all of the grease except for about 1 tablespoon. Chop bacon into large crumbles and set aside. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3 – 4 minutes, then add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add diced chicken breast and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You just want to brown the meat, it will continue to cook once you add the other ingredients.
Add the bacon crumbles, chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, milk, BBQ sauce, red pepper flakes, and pasta, and bring back to a boil. Season with additional salt and pepper, if it needs it. Give it all a good stir so that the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the skillet.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes or until pasta is cooked. Stir every 5 minutes to prevent pasta from burning and sticking to the pan. Add in cheese and stir to combine, let cook 1 -2 minutes more or until the cheese is melted. Serve.
More One Pan Meals To Try
One Pan Chicken BBQ Pasta
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon (reserved 2 slices for garnish if desired)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 2 cups unsalted chicken stock (or chicken broth)
- 1 14 ounce cand fire-roasted tomatoes with garlic
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper, to taste ,
- 1 12 ounce box rotini pasta
- ⅓ – ½ cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet and Spicy barbecue sauce
- 1½ cups shredded Cheddar Jack cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon – Crisp the bacon in a large skillet, then remove and crumble. Leave about 1 tablespoon of grease in the pan.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic – Add onion and cook until soft, then stir in garlic and cook briefly.
- Brown the Chicken – Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until lightly browned (it will finish cooking later).
- Combine Ingredients – Add crumbled bacon (reserve some for garnish), stock, fire-roasted tomatoes, milk, BBQ sauce, red pepper flakes, and pasta. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Simmer – Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- Finish with Cheese – Stir in the shredded cheese and cook another minute or two until melted. Serve.
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Enjoy!
Now here’s a pairing I can get behind! BBQ chicken and pasta are two of my favorites!
I love the combination of flavors, and the BBQ sauce sounds like the perfect addition.