Description

Get ready to turn up the flavor with this One-Pot Spicy BBQ Chicken Cheeseburger Pasta — a quick dinner masterpiece that delivers all the smoky, cheesy, spicy goodness of your favorite BBQ chicken sandwich in one soul-warming bowl of pasta. It’s perfect for weeknight cooking, ideal for meal prep, and loaded with satisfying textures and bold flavor. Whether you’re after easy dinner ideas, a hearty comfort food recipe, or quick pasta meals that don’t skimp on taste, this one’s a total game-changer. With juicy chicken, melty cheese, and punchy BBQ sauce all coming together in one pot, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (diced)
1 small red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1½ cups dry pasta (rigatoni, penne, or elbow)
1 cup chicken broth
¾ cup spicy BBQ sauce
½ cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup mozzarella cheese
Salt & black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned (5–6 minutes). Remove and set aside.
In the same pan, add diced red onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Return chicken to the pan. Add chicken broth, BBQ sauce, tomato sauce, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Stir well.
Stir in the dry pasta, ensuring it’s mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Once pasta is al dente, remove from heat. Stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted and creamy.
Let it rest covered for 2–3 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes