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Smoky Honey BBQ Chicken Bacon Pasta in Velvety Basil Cream Sauce

A smoky, sweet, and creamy pasta dish loaded with chicken, bacon, and a velvety basil cream sauce.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 2 large chicken breasts, diced
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving 1 tablespoon drippings in the skillet.
  3. Add olive oil to the skillet. Season chicken with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté onion until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, honey, and BBQ sauce. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.
  6. Return chicken and bacon to the skillet. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Stir in fresh basil just before serving.
  7. Serve hot, garnished with extra basil or Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For extra smokiness, use smoked bacon and add a pinch of smoked salt. Basil can be substituted with dried basil if fresh is unavailable, but reduce to 1 tablespoon.

  • Author: Chef Stella
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Method: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 720 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Fat: 38 g
  • Carbohydrates: 58 g
  • Protein: 35 g