One Pot Bbq Chicken Pasta
One Pot BBQ Chicken Pasta is an absolute must-try for anyone craving comfort food with a kick! This dish combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and fun, spiraled rotini pasta smothered in a smoky BBQ sauce. The best part? It’s all cooked in just one pot, making clean-up a breeze. Imagine coming home after a bustling day, craving something satisfying, and within 30 minutes, you’re enjoying a flavorful meal that pleases everyone at the table.
I stumbled upon this recipe during a busy week when takeout felt tempting but my wallet disagreed. After one delicious bite, it became a staple in my kitchen. It’s easy, budget-friendly, and satisfying, making it perfect for family dinners or even casual gatherings with friends. I’m excited for you to experience how this One Pot BBQ Chicken Pasta can quickly become a favorite in your home!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: Ready in just 29 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights!
- Irresistible Flavor: The combo of crispy bacon and smoky BBQ sauce will keep you coming back for seconds.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: Gorgeous and colorful, this dish looks as good as it tastes.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for a cozy family dinner or casual get-together.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adjustable for gluten-free pasta or dairy-free cheese.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 5 slices bacon, diced: Adds a smoky, savory flavor and crunch.
- 1 pound chicken breasts, diced: Lean protein that becomes tender and juicy as it cooks.
- 1 onion, diced: Gives the dish depth and sweetness.
- 3 garlic cloves, minced: Fresh garlic enhances flavor and aroma.
- 1 bell pepper, diced: Adds color and a slight sweetness—feel free to mix and match with different colors.
- 9 ounces pasta (rotini): Twisted shape holds sauce brilliantly; you can substitute any short pasta you love.
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces): Provides freshness and complements the BBQ sauce.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Amplifies the smoky flavor, enhancing the BBQ theme.
- Salt and Pepper to taste: Essential for brightening flavors.
- ½ cup BBQ sauce: A crucial element bringing the dish together; use your favorite brand for best results.
- 3 teaspoons Better Than Bouillion chicken base: This added layer of flavor makes the broth rich and savory.
- 3 cups water: Needed for cooking the pasta and enriching the sauce.
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded: Melts beautifully, adding creaminess and stretch.
How to Make One Pot BBQ Chicken Pasta
Fry Bacon: Place 5 slices of diced bacon into a large cold skillet. Heat over medium and fry for 7-10 minutes until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy. The crispy bacon will seal in flavor and add texture.
Brown Chicken: Remove 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat. Add 1 pound of diced chicken breasts to the skillet in the remaining fat. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned.
Sauté Vegetables: Add 1 diced onion and 1 diced bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until they soften. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for an additional minute, allowing the garlic to become fragrant.
Prepare Broth: While the veggies are cooking, dissolve 3 teaspoons of Better Than Bouillion chicken base in 3 cups of boiling water. This enhances the sauce’s depth.
Combine Ingredients: Pour in 9 ounces of rotini pasta, 1 can of petite diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces), 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ cup of BBQ sauce, and salt and pepper to taste. Add 2 cups of the Better Than Bouillion broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits—it’s packed with flavor!
Cook Pasta: Stir well and cover. Cook the pasta for 15-20 minutes or until it’s tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. You can add extra liquid if needed to prevent sticking.
Add Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked perfectly, top with ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover with the lid for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly to create a delightful cheesy layer.
Storing & Reheating
Store any leftover One Pot BBQ Chicken Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. For reheating, simply warm it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Note that pasta may absorb some moisture, so adding a splash of water while reheating can help refresh the texture.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Avoid overcrowding the pan when browning the chicken for even cooking.
- If your bacon tends to burn, lower the heat slightly as it can cook quickly.
- Make sure to scrape the pan well while deglazing; this adds an incredible depth of flavor.
- Use a timer to check pasta doneness for the best texture.
- Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack for a twist in flavor.
- This dish is fantastic as a make-ahead meal; just reheat it when you’re ready to eat!
One Pot BBQ Chicken Pasta brings together a wonderful medley of flavors and textures. It’s an easy dinner solution that can be enjoyed any night of the week. Don’t hesitate to play with the ingredients based on what you have on hand. Whether you opt for extra veggies or a different cheese, the possibilities are endless!
Recipe FAQs
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What can I serve with this pasta dish?
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More Dinner Recipes
- Ultimate Sauteed Vegetables
- Homemade Italian Dressing
- Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna
- Jambalaya Pasta
👉 If you make my One Pot Bbq Chicken Pasta recipe, please leave a comment and a star rating — it really helps others discover the recipe.
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One Pot Bbq Chicken Pasta
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 29 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: One Pot
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This One Pot BBQ Chicken Pasta features tender chicken, crispy bacon, and gooey mozzarella cheese, creating a delightful dish that’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor—perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Ingredients
- 5 slices bacon, diced
- 1 pound chicken breasts, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 9 ounces pasta (rotini)
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 3 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon chicken base
- 3 cups water
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a large cold skillet, add the diced bacon and fry for 7-10 minutes until crispy.
- Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat, then add the chicken to the skillet and brown for 3-5 minutes.
- Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet and sauté for another 3-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Dissolve the Better Than Bouillon in boiling water.
- Pour in the pasta, canned tomatoes, smoked paprika, BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, and 2 cups of the bouillon mixture. Scrape the pan to release browned bits.
- Stir everything together and cook for 15-20 minutes until the pasta is cooked and liquid is mostly absorbed, adding extra liquid as necessary.
- Top the pasta with shredded mozzarella cheese, cover with a lid, and let it melt for a few minutes.
Notes
Feel free to customize the veggies by adding zucchini or corn for extra flavor.
For a smoky twist, try using a chipotle BBQ sauce instead.
This recipe can easily be doubled for larger gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 935mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
