1-Gathering and Prepping Ingredients: First, get everything ready by measuring out your ingredients and preparing the chicken. Cut the 1 lb (450g) of chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika. This step ensures the flavors meld well from the start.

2-Cooking the Dish: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in your large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sauté it for 4-5 minutes until it’s browned but not fully cooked through. This keeps the chicken tender as it finishes cooking later with the other ingredients.

Next, toss in the 2 cloves of minced garlic and the finely chopped small onion, cooking for about 2 minutes until they’re soft and fragrant. This builds a solid base for the sauce that makes the Honey BBQ Chicken Penne so tasty.

Stir in 1 ½ cups of BBQ sauce, ⅓ cup honey, 2 cups chicken broth, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. These combine to create that signature tangy sweetness we’re after. If you’re looking for more fruit-inspired recipes, this step reminds me of how flavors blend in desserts like apple crisp.

Add the 12 oz (340g) of penne pasta right into the mix, making sure it’s fully submerged in the sauce. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then lower the heat, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking and ensure even cooking.

3-Finishing Touches: Once the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, take the pan off the heat and let it rest for 2-3 minutes. Finally, garnish with 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve it hot, and enjoy the way all the elements come together in this chicken penne dish.