Creamy BBQ chicken pasta is an excellent weeknight dish loaded with flavor. This delicious, comforting dish combines chicken breast chunks, BBQ sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, and pasta.
If you're looking for a new way to serve chicken pasta, this creamy BBQ chicken pasta is for you! This pasta is loaded with tangy, smoky, savory flavors with a hint of sweetness from the BBQ sauce.
For more delicious weeknight dinner ideas, check out our chicken spaghetti with rotel, maple glazed salmon, and chili cheese tater tot casserole recipes next!
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Will Need
The detailed ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken. I love chicken breast for this recipe but chicken thighs work well also. Cut chicken into about ½-inch chunks.
- Tomatoes. I use canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes for this recipe, but you may use regular diced tomatoes or fresh diced tomatoes if you prefer. See how fresh tomatoes brighten up our blackened salmon pasta.
- Cream cheese. Cream adds delicious creaminess and tanginess to this pasta that pairs beautifully with the sweet and smoky BBQ sauce. You can also substitute sour cream or omit this ingredient altogether.
- BBQ sauce. Use your favorite brand of BBQ sauce for this recipe or your favorite homemade BBQ sauce recipe.
- Pasta. My favorite pasta for this recipe is penne but feel free to use rigatoni, farfalle, fusilli, or any pasta shape you prefer. Cook your pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Be careful not to overcook the pasta.
Variations of This Recipe
The thing I love most about pasta dishes is how customizable they are. Make this bbq chicken pasta all your own by trying some of these tasty variations:
- Swap the chicken for shrimp or salmon. Be sure to adjust cooking times accordingly. See how I use shrimp and chicken in our Cajun jambalaya pasta.
- Add more texture with vegetables like diced onions, bell peppers, broccoli, or spinach.
- If you aren't a fan of cream cheese, add additional creaminess with heavy cream or half and half.
- Add even more tanginess and flavor by combining honey mustard with BBQ sauce in this dish.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1. Season chicken breast chunks in a bowl and set aside.
Step 2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent then add the garlic and cook an additional minute. Add the chicken and cook until almost cooked through.
Step 3. Add the BBQ sauce, tomatoes, cream cheese, chicken broth, and seasonings and stir.
Step 4. Cook the chicken mixture until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened. Stir in the past and shredded cheese. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
I love short pasta shapes for this recipe that hold sauce well such as penne, rigatoni, or farfalle.
Absolutely. This bbq chicken pasta tastes even better after it sits for a day. Feel free to make it a day in advance and reheat when ready to serve.
Store leftover BBQ chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Comforting Dinner Recipes You Will Love
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📖 Recipe
BBQ Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and cracked black pepper - to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ medium yellow onion - chopped
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1, 15- ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 4 ounces cream cheese - softened
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 pound cooked penne pasta
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese - cheddar or cheddar blend
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, season chicken breast chunks and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a 12-inch cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent then add the garlic and cook an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the chicken breasts and cook until almost cooked through.
- Add the BBQ sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, cream, and chicken broth, and stir with a wooden spoon. Season the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the sauce until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce has thickened. Stir in the pasta and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Taste the pasta to make sure you are pleased with the seasoning.
- Finish the pasta with the remaining shredded cheese and garnish with more BBQ sauce and chopped green onions. Allow the pasta to cool for about 10 minutes and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts in this pasta.
- If you do not have cream cheese on hand, sour cream also works great.
- Leftover BBQ chicken pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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