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One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pasta

By 43 Comments 30 Minute MealsChickenOne-Pot Meals

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This One Pot BBQ Chicken Pasta with Bacon is SO easy and so good — hearty, cheesy and a little smoky from barbecue sauce. Includes step by step recipe video.

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First of all, this pasta is totally amazing. You would not believe how well barbecue sauce goes with pasta!

One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pasta: smoky, cheesy pasta with chicken and bacon, that cooks completely in one pot! A quick, easy weeknight meal! www.thereciperebel.com

Sometimes, when I find an easy meal that my kids will eat without grumbling, and cooks in just one pot, I just want to shout it from the rooftops. Do you hear me?

And since it’s another 30 Minute Thursday today, that means this is a family-friendly, one pot meal that’s ready in 30 minutes or less! Pretty much a win on all counts.

One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pasta: smoky, cheesy pasta with chicken and bacon, that cooks completely in one pot! A quick, easy weeknight meal! www.thereciperebel.com

This recipe has long been a favorite here — it’s just getting another update and a new video in time for 30 Minute Thursday this month! Check down below for links to more great 30 minute meals from friends!

This recipe came about one day when I was still working out of the home, and needed something super quick to feed my two year old. And we know how 2 year olds can be.

Since then, this pasta has been a regular on our rotation and for good reason — it’s delicious.

I had found a one pot pasta recipe on Pinterest (obviously) that I was trying out, and things were going pretty well.

 

 

One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pasta: smoky, cheesy pasta with chicken and bacon, that cooks completely in one pot! A quick, easy weeknight meal! www.thereciperebel.com

 

I was following the recipe relatively closely. When I tasted it at the end, I just needed something more…..

I started scanning the contents of my refrigerator.

BBQ sauce?

In a pasta?

It’s a little ridiculous.

One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pasta: smoky, cheesy pasta with chicken and bacon, that cooks completely in one pot! A quick, easy weeknight meal! www.thereciperebel.com

I went back and forth about it for a bit. But then I figured, it goes with pizza, which is a grain, so this is pretty much the same thing, right?

We loved it! There’s not so much barbecue sauce in it that the noodles are smothered in it, it just adds a nice sweet, smokiness to the sauce. The BBQ flavour is still subtle. Plus, less dishes! That’s a win-win here 😉

Watch the recipe video and see how it’s made

Print Pin Recipe

One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pasta

A quick, easy weeknight meal made completely in one pot!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 5 servings
Calories 505kcal
Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts chopped
  • 2 slices bacon chopped
  • 1/2 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 cups whole wheat rotini or other short pasta
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar marble or mozza cheese

Instructions

  • In a large pan, cook chicken for 5-6 minutes, until browned on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  • Add bacon and onion to pan and cook over medium heat until bacon is browned. Drain as much of the fat off as you can. Add the cooked chicken, garlic, broth, tomatoes, milk, barbecue sauce, pepper flakes, salt, pasta and bring to a simmer.
  • Cook and stir frequently over medium heat until pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in cheese just until melted. Serve.

Notes

*To use raw chicken breasts, chop into small pieces and cook in the pan over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and cook the bacon and onion as the recipe says. Add the chicken back in with the bacon and onions and continue with the recipe.

Nutrition (this is an estimate)

Nutrition Facts
One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 505 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 72mg 24%
Sodium 1232mg 51%
Potassium 674mg 19%
Total Carbohydrates 59g 20%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 10g
Protein 30g 60%
Vitamin A 11.3%
Vitamin C 19.2%
Calcium 33.9%
Iron 20.6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pasta
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4 servings
A quick, easy weeknight meal made completely in one pot!
Ingredients
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped
  • 2 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 14oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 cups whole wheat rotini (or other short pasta)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, marble or mozza cheese
Instructions
  1. In a large pan, cook chicken for 5-6 minutes, until browned on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  2. Add bacon and onion to pan and cook over medium heat until bacon is browned. Drain as much of the fat off as you can. Add the cooked chicken, garlic, broth, tomatoes, milk, barbecue sauce, pepper flakes, salt, pasta and bring to a simmer.
  3. Cook and stir frequently over medium heat until pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in cheese just until melted. Serve.

Recipe inspired by this pasta from A Bitchin’ Kitchen.

 

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Comments

  1. I love BBQ sauce in pasta! I don’t remember where I picked it up, but it was most certainly during the many years I lived in Texas. One pot recipes are the best too. I might even consider using kielbasa in place of the chicken. Perfect comfort food!

    Reply

  5. I made this last night for my wife. The only thing I did differently was I added half a cup of white wine after cooking the bacon and onion to deglaze the pan…the meal was wonderful, easy and quick…my wife even said…Its a keeper.

    Reply

  9. I don’t think BBQ sauce in pasta sounds weird at all, but probably because I have seen my husband drizzle it on everything, including macaroni and cheese. Your pasta, however, is a total upgrade from the crap my husband eats! 🙂 This looks spectacular and sounds delicious! I, too, always have left over cooked chicken on hand, so I will be sure to whip this together soon! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  11. My stomach is seriously rumbling right now looking at your beautiful recipe! Nothing beats a big bowl of delicious pasta, and this looks absolutely perfect! Mmm! Thank you for sharing 🙂

    Reply

  12. YUM! I’m so happy I stumbled upon your website! This looks and sounds absolutely delicious, might have to cook it up this week. 🙂

    Reply

  13. I’ve definitely had a ton of slow cooker chicken leftovers without any idea of what to do with them. I think I’ll make slow cooker chicken this weekend just so I have it on hand for this pasta to make it even quicker! Love all these flavors!

    Reply

  19. Hi Ashley! I am all about comfort food and this certainly qualifies! A rotisserie chicken from the market would make it even simpler, especially on a week night!

    Reply

  25. Hi Ashley,

    I’m putting together a recipe roundup for eHow.com and would love to include this amazing recipe! Your contact page is broken (404 not found), so I had to ask your permission here. 🙂 May I use one of the photos in the roundup along with a link back to the original content? If so, please let me know by Sunday 8/24. Thanks!

    Reply

  27. Hello! Stopping by from Freedom Fridays. I have to agree, I am thinking BBQ sauce? But this looks delicious. Going to have to try this for sure.

    Reply

  28. You know I keep reading about people making chickens in the crock pot and I’m so intrigued! Especially now that I see what you can do with the leftovers; this pasta looks fantastic! Bacon makes everything better for sure. 😀

    Reply

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