BBQ Chicken Pasta Bake
This BBQ Chicken Pasta Bake recipe is a mouthwatering combination of sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and al dente penne noodles. It is also a powerhouse of protein, making it a super-satisfying meal.
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Baked casseroles are our specialty! More popular dinner casseroles include this taco potato casserole and this creamy chicken broccoli bake. Check out all of our yummy casserole recipes for more inspiration.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This dish is packed with protein! It is a super satisfying dinner.
- It’s great for sharing family-style or bringing to a potluck.
- This recipe is really easy to customize. You can boost the veggies, use plant-based protein, and experiment with different seasonings or fresh herbs. Your options are endless.
Ingredients
Find the complete ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
- Chicken – This recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Butter and Olive Oil – We like to use this combo to cook chicken.
- Salt + Pepper – Fine sea salt and black pepper are simple seasonings for chicken, yet they add so much flavor.
- Pasta – Our choice is usually penne as it stands up so well in casserole-type dishes.
- Onions – Red onions, thinly sliced, pair so well with the rest of the ingredients.
- Cream Cheese – Take this out of the fridge first so it is slightly softened and easier to stir.
- BBQ Sauce – We recommend using a sauce sweetened with natural sugar, such as dates, or a lower-sugar option.
- Mayonnaise – Our Homemade Mayonnaise is the best in this recipe.
- Cheese – Mozzarella is used in this recipe because it is rich and gooey, perfect for baked pasta.
Equipment
- Large Pot and Strainer – For cooking the pasta.
- Large Skillet – This is for cooking the chicken pieces and onions.
- Casserole Dish – We recommend using an 8 x 11 ceramic baking dish.
- Made of premium ceramic material.
- Suitable for oven, microwave, freezer, and dishwasher.
Instructions
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the FULL recipe details.
Step 1
First, start by preheating the oven to 350°. Grease an 8 x 11 casserole dish and set it aside.
Step 2
Then, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, put the pasta in and cook it as directed on the package.
Drain it and set it aside in the strainer.
Expert Tip!
Be sure not to overcook the pasta. This dish will be baked, so you don’t want the noodles to be too soft.
Step 3
Meanwhile, while the pasta is cooking, saute the chicken in a large skillet.
The bite-sized pieces cook pretty quickly.
Once the chicken is almost cooked, add the thinly sliced onions to the pan. Onions cook faster than chicken, so adding them at the end prevents them from burning.
Step 4
Next, whip up the sauce.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the BBQ sauce, cream cheese, mayo, and a sprinkle of the shredded mozzarella. Most of the shredded cheese will be used to top the pasta.
The sauce doesn’t look beautiful, but it tastes delicious. Trust, me.
Step 5
Then, add the warm cooked pasta to the bowl with the BBQ sauce mixture.
Give it a good toss so the noodles are coated well with the sauce.
Step 6
Next, add the cooked chicken and onions to the bowl with the sauce and pasta.
Stir it all well to combine.
Step 7
Finally, spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Cover the pasta with the remaining shredded cheese.
Step 8
Pop the dish into the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
This takes about 15-20 minutes.
Expert Tip!
Turn on the broiler and let the pasta bake sit under it for a minute or two to create a crispy, cheesy topping.
Substitutions
- Save time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
- Substitute fusilli, ziti, or rotini pasta instead of penne noodles. If you want something gluten-free, check out these gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Use ground beef instead of chicken for a new flavor combination.
- Thinly sliced shallots are a great alternative to red onions.
- Any melty cheese will work in this recipe instead of mozza. Try substituting parmesan or cheddar cheese, or a combo of all three.
Recipe Variations
- If you want a tomato-based dish, try this yummy penne pasta bake with a beefy bolognese sauce.
- Add a spicy flavor to the sauce by adding seasonings to the BBQ sauce mixture. Garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper are all tasty ideas.
- Add a ton of veggies to boost the nutrition of this recipe. Great vegetable addin options include corn, thinly sliced red peppers, spinach, and mushrooms.
- Make it super indulgent, and toss in some cooked bacon before baking.
Maybe you need something that is ready quickly? Try this simple pasta and peas recipe, which is on your table in only 20 minutes. Easy peasy. 😉
Serving Suggestions
- Garnish with fresh herbs like chopped fresh parsley, or basil for a pop of color and freshness.
- Our favorite pairing with pasta dishes is a simple lettuce salad as a side dish.
- Pair the pasta with a side of grilled vegetables such as zucchini or asparagus for a wholesome meal.
FAQS
Yes, you can prepare this BBQ chicken pasta ahead of time. Follow the steps until the baking process. Cover the casserole dish with foil and refrigerate. When you are ready, take the dish out of the fridge and let it warm to room temperature while heating the oven. Then, follow the rest of the cooking steps.
Storage Tips
To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It should be cooled completely before storing and reheated thoroughly before serving.
More Pasta Dinner Recipes
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BBQ Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless, chicken breasts *cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp butter
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 3 cups penne pasta *use gluten-free if required
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onions
- ¾ cup cream cheese *softened
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350°. Grease an 8 x 11 casserole dish and set it aside.
- Then, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions.
- Meanwhile, while the pasta is cooking, heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken pieces.
- Cook the chicken until browned on both sides and cooked through. Add the onions and stir. Cook until the onions have softened.
- Meanwhile, while the chicken and pasta are cooking, stir together the cream cheese, BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, and ¼ cup of the shredded mozzarella in a large mixing bowl.
- Then, add the warm cooked pasta to the bowl with the BBQ sauce mixture. Stir it well to coat the noodles.
- Next, add the cooked chicken and onions to the bowl with the sauce and pasta. Stir it all well to combine.
- Then, spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Cover it with the remaining ¾ cup of shredded mozzarella.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta. This dish will be baked, so you don’t want the noodles to be too soft.
- Turn on the broiler and let the pasta bake sit under it for a minute or two to create a crispy, cheesy topping.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It should be cooled completely before storing and reheated thoroughly before serving.
