Description
A smoky, cheesy comfort food classic, BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese combines tender shredded chicken coated in tangy BBQ sauce with creamy cheddar and mozzarella, all folded into perfectly cooked pasta. It’s warm, hearty, and quick to prepare—ideal for cozy dinners or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
450 g (1 lb) boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded
1 Tbsp olive oil
225 g (8 oz) elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup milk (low-fat preferred)
½ cup BBQ sauce (sweet and smoky recommended)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken and warm through for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- In a separate saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat.
- Gradually add cheddar and mozzarella cheese to the milk, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring until evenly coated.
- Fold in the BBQ chicken mixture and stir until well combined and heated through.
- Adjust seasoning as needed and serve hot.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and an optional drizzle of BBQ sauce.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
Swap in pepper jack cheese or add cayenne for extra spice.
Top with extra cheese and broil for a crispy crust.
Whole wheat or gluten-free pasta works well as substitutes.
Stir in cooked vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or broccoli for added nutrition.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk for creaminess.
Not ideal for freezing due to dairy content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
