Keto BBQ Chicken Pasta Recipe

BBQ chicken is versatile and delicious. One of the more recent BBQ-related inventions is BBQ chicken pizza—cheesy, creamy, tangy, and smokey. BBQ chicken pizza hits all the right notes…unless you’re watching your carbs.

Well, we "pastafied” this yummy favorite and took away the carbs! This dish is keto-friendly and ultra-satisfying. How did we add pasta and take away carbs? We’ll share the secret with you!

BBQ Chicken Pizza and Pasta

For years, American pizza was primarily a crust, tomato sauce, and cheese—maybe with some sausage or pepperoni. Of course, there were different versions with ham or Canadian bacon, pineapple, and mushrooms, but all pizza came from a pretty standard base formula.

Then white pizza became a “thing.” People loved the idea of a creamy alfredo-like sauce to top pizza. The benefit of creamy sauce was that it went with unusual ingredients like buffalo chicken, spinach, artichokes, and, of course, BBQ chicken.

Today, BBQ chicken pizza is a standard on almost every delivery joint’s menu. Usually, it consists of a creamy garlic sauce base, chicken pieces smothered in a sugary barbecue sauce, and mounds of cheese.

Now, don’t get us wrong—BBQ pizza is an amazing treat. But if you're following keto or a low-carb diet style, chances are that most pizza is off the menu. Ditto for most pasta.

Well, we decided to combine BBQ pizza with pasta and take away the carbs. How does that math work? BBQ chicken pizza + pasta = low-carb deliciousness? It doesn't quite compute, does it?

Welcome to the world of It’s Skinny, where we pasta-fy favorite dishes with zero net carb, 9 calorie It’s Skinny Noodles! You still get all the yummy, tangy, creamy, crave-worthy flavor, but there’s nothing to feel guilty about. This pasta recipe is keto-friendly!

About It’s Skinny Low-Carb Pasta

For this dish, we use It’s Skinny Pasta in Spaghetti or Fettuccine shape. For those unfamiliar with this amazing shirataki pasta, prepare to have your mind blown!

Each pack of It’s Skinny has only 9 calories and ZERO net carbs. It is ready in a flash—2-3 minutes to heat through and enjoy. There’s no boiling water or trying to time noodle cooking alongside other ingredients.

Nope, it couldn’t be easier! And the taste? Well, It’s Skinny Pasta tastes like…pasta. Konjac root (the plant that we use to make It’s Skinny) happens to be very good at taking on the surrounding flavors of the dish, much like its traditional pasta counterparts.

No matter the sauce or the protein you add, you get a filling, satisfying, keto-friendly bowl of noodles that will make you fall in love with pasta all over again. There’s no carb coma or guilt after you enjoy It's Skinny, either. It fills you up but won’t leave you weighed down and tired.

It’s Skinny Pasta comes in a wide variety of shapes and styles. We use Fettuccine or Spaghetti shapes for this BBQ Chicken Pasta, but feel free to mix it up! If you have any type of It’s Skinny shape, you can use it in practically any It’s Skinny Recipe. Choose from:

·       Angel Hair

·       Pappardelle

·       Orzo

·       Couscous

·       Noodles for Soup

·       Spaghetti

·       Fettuccine

We have any shape you need to update nearly any favorite dish. Each pack of It’s Skinny Pasta has the same great stats.

Shirataki noodles are vegan, plant-based, very low-carb, and low-calorie, so they’re the perfect answer to almost any diet. Oh, and did we mention gluten-free? Yup! These noodles are great for those who are avoiding gluten (but still need a big bowl of comfort food once in a while).

For our BBQ chicken pasta, we add shredded leftover chicken (perfect for cleaning out the fridge), a simple but rich and creamy sauce, and keto-friendly BBQ sauce to make a dish that tastes like a decadent treat.

Best of all? It’s ready faster than pizza delivery. So, put away that menu when you’re craving BBQ pizza and give it a pasta-licious makeover with It’s Skinny!

Making Low-Carb BBQ Chicken Pasta Your Own

Now, maybe you’re one of those people who likes mushrooms on their pizza or prefers buffalo chicken. We won’t judge (well unless you go with pineapple). This recipe is totally customizable, so riff away and make it your own. If you're looking for a few upgrades and customizations, try the following.

Can I make buffalo chicken pasta instead?

Buffalo chicken pasta is an easy swap—especially if you prefer more heat and less sweet. Use a keto-friendly buffalo sauce in lieu of the barbecue sauce and it will change up the flavor. You can also swap the cheese with ½ blue cheese ½ mozzarella for an authentic chicken “wing” experience.

Can you omit the sauce altogether? Of course. For a milder, chicken alfredo-style pasta, leave out the BBQ and the hot sauce. If you go this route, you may want to season generously with garlic and black pepper.

What vegetables should I add to this dish?

We use some green onions in this killer BBQ chicken pasta, but you could really amp up the veggie power if you like. So many vegetables would be great here—red or green bell peppers, red onion, a handful of cilantro, and nearly any leafy green.

Think of the veggies that pair best with barbecue. Cauliflower is a great addition, and mushrooms are right at home. You can change up the herbs if you like and add extra seasonings. Just keep in mind that any time you add to the dish, you'll want to check stats to ensure you're still in the right range for keto.

What can I serve with this dish?

One thing we all love about pasta is that it can be a meal all by itself. There’s often no need for extra sides. However, if you’re looking for a few keto-friendly ideas, think of what you would serve at your favorite grill out.

Grilled vegetables like zucchini or broccoli are nice options. You could serve this pasta dish alongside some keto-friendly coleslaw or a big green salad. Choose whatever tastes like summer to you!

How to Make Low-Carb BBQ Chicken Pasta

There are several types of sugar-free BBQ sauces on the market. Most grocery stores offer at least one or two sugar-free and keto-friendly sauce options. Be sure to read through the carbohydrate stats to ensure you’re staying within your target range.

This BBQ chicken pasta dish cooks up fast, with minimal effort. It's a great way to use up leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken!

Ingredients:

·       1 pack of It’s Skinny Fettuccine

·       1 tbsp butter

·       1/3 cup sugar-free/keto-friendly BBQ sauce

·       2 tbsp of cream cheese

·       ¼ cup of heavy cream

·       ½ tsp garlic powder

·       ½ tsp smoked paprika

·       ½ tsp onion powder

·       1 cup of shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or grilled)

·       1/4 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)

·       Salt & Pepper to taste

Optional:

·       ¼ red pepper flakes

·       1 tbsp chopped green onions

Instructions:

Step 1: Open the package of It’s Skinny Fettuccine. Drain and rinse the pasta and set aside.

Step 2: Melt the butter or heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the cream cheese and stir until the mixture is melted and smooth. Gently pour in the heavy cream, whisking to combine.

Step 3: Add the BBQ sauce, garlic, onion, paprika, and salt and pepper to the sauce. Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes until thickened.

Step 4: Stir in the shredded chicken and the It’s Skinny Fettuccine. Mix well to coat with sauce. Allow the dish to heat through (2-3 minutes).

Step 5: Sprinkle in mozzarella or cheddar cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Adjust the seasoning to your preference.

Step 6: Garnish your pasta with green onions, red pepper, or any other garnish you prefer. Plate and serve.