Creamy Smoky Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta with Crispy Bacon & Spinach 🍗🥓🥬✨
A comforting pasta dish with smoky honey BBQ flavors, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy sauce—finished with fresh spinach for balance.
Ingredients 🛒
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 5 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup honey BBQ sauce
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Grated parmesan, for serving
Method 👩🍳
- Cook pasta: Boil penne until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook bacon: In skillet, fry bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Sear chicken: In same skillet, heat olive oil. Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Cook until golden and cooked through.
- Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to skillet, cook briefly until fragrant.
- Make sauce: Stir in cream, milk, and honey BBQ sauce. Simmer until thickened slightly.
- Combine: Add pasta, spinach, and bacon back into skillet. Toss until spinach wilts and everything is coated in sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with parmesan. Enjoy hot.
Tips
- Extra indulgence: Add mozzarella for a gooey cheese pull.
- Variation: Swap spinach for arugula or kale for a peppery twist.
- Serving idea: Pair with garlic bread or a crisp salad.
Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: ~45 minutes
- Kcal: ~420 per serving
Caption & Engagement
Caption: “Creamy Smoky Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta—comfort with a smoky twist 🍗🥓🥬✨”
- Comment prompt: “Would you add extra BBQ sauce or keep it creamy?”
- Rotating closers: “Save for your next pasta night.” • “Tag a friend who loves smoky flavors.” • “Golden pasta, creamy BBQ bliss.”