Description
BBQ chicken mac and cheese brings together two comfort classics that will make your taste buds dance with pure satisfaction. Creamy pasta and tender chicken get a smoky twist that turns this dish into a crowd-pleasing dinner guaranteed to empty plates fast.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups chicken
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
Main Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- Salt
- Pepper
- Green onions
Instructions
- Boil 8 oz elbow macaroni in salted water until perfectly tender. Drain pasta and set aside in a warm spot.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same pot over medium heat. Whisk 2 tablespoons flour into melted butter for exactly 60 seconds.
- Pour 2 cups milk slowly into the butter-flour mixture, stirring constantly at medium heat for 5 minutes until sauce thickens smoothly.
- Reduce heat to low and blend 2 cups cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella into the white sauce. Stir until cheese melts completely.
- Season the cheese sauce with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Toss 2 cups shredded chicken with 1 cup BBQ sauce in a separate bowl until chicken is evenly coated.
- Fold BBQ-coated chicken into the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring even distribution.
- Combine cooked macaroni with cheese and chicken mixture, stirring gently to coat every pasta piece.
- Transfer mac and cheese to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle ½ cup breadcrumbs across the top.
- Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until breadcrumbs turn golden brown and edges bubble slightly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Scatter chopped green onions over the top before serving.
Notes
- Choose short pasta like elbow macaroni to catch the cheesy sauce in every bite.
- Shred your own chicken for better flavor and texture compared to pre-packaged options.
- Keep the cheese sauce smooth by adding milk gradually and stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
- When baking, watch carefully to prevent breadcrumbs from burning and ensure a golden-brown crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 572 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg