Southern BBQ Chicken Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty pasta dish with smoky BBQ chicken, collard greens, and cornbread crumbles, inspired by the Southern U.S. heritage in Census data. This southern-inspired pasta ready in about 75 minutes pairs (penne or fusilli) pasta, boneless chicken thighs, BBQ sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.7 (11 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 45 min Serves 6 Southern cuisine 500 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss 2 lbs chicken thighs with 1/2 cup BBQ sauce and 1 tsp hot sauce. Place in a baking dish and roast for 30-35 minutes until fully cooked.
  2. Step 2: While the chicken roasts, sauté 2 tbsp cottonseed oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 small diced red onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions are translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 head chopped collard greens and cook for 5-6 minutes until wilted. Stir in 1/2 cup cornbread crumbles and 1/4 cup water. Cook for 2 minutes until the greens are tender.
  4. Step 4: Toss the cooked pasta with the collard greens mixture and 1/2 cup BBQ sauce. Serve warm, garnished with additional hot sauce.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Southern BBQ Chicken Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (30 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Southern BBQ Chicken Pasta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (penne or fusilli) pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Southern BBQ Chicken Pasta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Southern BBQ Chicken Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Southern BBQ Chicken Pasta?

Southern pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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