Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe For Comfort Food Lovers

Prepare for a mouthwatering loaded BBQ chicken mac and cheese experience that promises pure comfort and flavor excitement.

Creamy pasta meets smoky barbecue goodness in this crowd-pleasing dish that screams ultimate satisfaction.

Hearty and indulgent, this recipe transforms classic mac and cheese into a seriously crave-worthy meal that stands out from ordinary pasta preparations.

Rich layers of cheesy goodness combined with tender chicken create a remarkable dining adventure everyone will adore.

Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this loaded mac and cheese delivers serious deliciousness without complicated techniques.

Grab your appetite and get ready to enjoy a seriously delectable dinner that's sure to become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love Loaded Bbq Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Quick Comfort: This mac and cheese delivers pure satisfaction without complicated steps, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when your family craves something hearty and delicious.
• Flavor Fusion: By combining bbq chicken and creamy cheese, your taste buds get an incredible combo that transforms standard mac and cheese into something special and memorable.
• Simple Crowd-Pleaser: With classic ingredients most people already have in their kitchen, this dish works amazingly for family meals, potlucks, or casual gatherings where everyone wants something tasty.
• Protein Power: Adding shredded chicken turns this classic side dish into a complete meal that keeps your crew feeling full and happy without extra complicated prep work.

What Ingredients Do You Need for Loaded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

• Elbow Macaroni (16 oz): The classic pasta shape that holds creamy sauce perfectly in each bite.

• Shredded Chicken (2 cups): Tender meat coated in tangy bbq sauce for extra flavor.
• Bbq Sauce (1/2 cup): Adds a sweet and smoky kick to your chicken.
• Crispy Bacon Bits (1/2 cup): Provides a salty, crunchy topping that makes every serving special.

• Butter (1/2 cup): Creates a rich, smooth base for your cheese sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour (1/2 cup): Helps thicken the sauce and create a velvety texture.
• Whole Milk (3 cups): Provides the creamy liquid for your cheese sauce.
• Cheddar Cheese (2 cups): Gives a sharp, classic cheese flavor to the dish.
• Monterey Jack Cheese (1 cup): Adds a mild, melty complement to the cheddar.
• Parmesan Cheese (1/2 cup): Brings a nutty, salty depth to your mac and cheese.

• Salt (1 tsp), Black Pepper (1/2 tsp), Garlic Powder (1/4 tsp): Enhance the overall flavor of your dish.
• Green Onions (1/4 cup): Fresh, bright topping to sprinkle over the finished mac and cheese.

Kitchen Tools Needed for Loaded Bbq Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Large Saucepan (4-5 quart): Your go-to pot for creating a silky smooth cheese sauce, perfect for building rich flavor layers.
• Whisk (10-inch): Essential for blending roux and preventing any stubborn flour lumps from forming in your sauce.
• Colander (Large): Helps drain your pasta quickly and efficiently after cooking those perfect elbow macaroni noodles.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Dish: Gives your mac and cheese plenty of room to get golden and bubbly in the oven.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures you add just the right amount of milk and ingredients for consistent results.
• Mixing Bowls (Medium): Great for tossing chicken in bbq sauce and keeping ingredients organized.
• Cheese Grater: Helps you freshly grate cheese for maximum melting and flavor potential.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring your cheese sauce and folding ingredients together smoothly.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping green onions and bacon for that final garnish touch.

Preparation Steps for Loaded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

How Do You Get The Best Results With Loaded Bbq Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Cook macaroni just until tender to avoid turning your dish mushy and ensure perfect texture.
• Whisk milk into the roux super slowly to prevent any annoying lumps from forming in your cheese sauce.
• Grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded to get that super creamy, smooth sauce that melts like a dream.
• Toss your chicken in extra bbq sauce right before mixing to give your mac and cheese a bold, tangy punch.
• Sprinkle extra bacon bits on top just before serving to keep them crunchy and add a delicious textural contrast.

What Other Variations Work For Loaded BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Vegetarian Mac and Cheese: Swap bbq chicken with roasted bell peppers and corn for a meat-free version that keeps the smoky flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Replace regular flour with cornstarch and use gluten-free macaroni to make this dish safe for your celiac friends.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced jalapeños and swap bbq sauce for chipotle sauce to give your mac and cheese a zesty kick that warms up the whole dish.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Trade macaroni for cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to create a lighter mac and cheese that still delivers rich, creamy satisfaction.

Best Serving Options For Loaded Bbq Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Serve Immediately Hot: Scoop this creamy mac and cheese straight from the oven onto warm plates, ensuring each serving gets plenty of cheesy, saucy goodness with crispy bacon and tender bbq chicken.
• Perfect Side Dish Pairings: Crisp garden salad with tangy vinaigrette or buttery roasted green beans complement the rich, cheesy flavors and cut through the dish’s decadence.
• Fresh Drink Matches: Crack open a cold beer like amber ale or light lager that balances the bbq’s smokiness and cuts through the cheese’s richness.
• Quick Garnish Boost: Sprinkle extra chopped green onions or a dash of smoked paprika right before serving to add fresh brightness and another layer of flavor complexity.

Proper Storage Method For Loaded BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping the flavors fresh and texture intact.
• When reheating, add a splash of milk to restore the creamy consistency and prevent the mac and cheese from drying out.
• Freeze individual portions in sealed freezer-safe containers for quick weeknight meals, ensuring your comfort food is always ready.
• For best results, thaw frozen mac and cheese overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating in the oven to maintain its original delicious texture.

Loaded Bbq Chicken Mac And Cheese FAQs

Loaded BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 30-37 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Loaded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese brings together creamy pasta and smoky, tender chicken in a crowd-pleasing comfort meal that’ll have your family asking for seconds. Your dinner table becomes an instant celebration with this hearty, cheesy creation that combines classic mac and cheese with juicy barbecue-glazed chicken.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• ½ cup crispy bacon bits

Cheese and Base:

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk

Seasonings and Extras:

• ½ cup bbq sauce
• ¼ cup green onions
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Cook 16 oz elbow macaroni in salted boiling water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
2. Toss 2 cups shredded chicken with ½ cup bbq sauce, ensuring every piece gets a delicious coating.
3. Melt ½ cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until completely smooth and liquefied.
4. Sprinkle ½ cup flour into melted butter, whisking energetically to create a smooth, lump-free roux.
5. Slowly stream 3 cups whole milk into roux, continuously whisking to maintain a silky texture.
6. Stir sauce constantly until it thickens and starts bubbling, approximately 3-4 minutes over medium heat.
7. Remove sauce from heat and blend in 2 cups cheddar, 1 cup monterey jack, and ½ cup parmesan cheeses until completely melted.
8. Season cheese sauce with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and ¼ tsp garlic powder. Mix thoroughly.
9. Incorporate cooked macaroni into cheese sauce, ensuring every noodle gets an even, creamy coating.
10. Gently fold bbq-coated chicken into mac and cheese mixture, distributing evenly.
11. Transfer mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it smoothly across the surface.
12. Scatter ½ cup crispy bacon bits over the top of the casserole.
13. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until edges bubble and top turns golden brown.
14. Sprinkle ¼ cup chopped green onions across the dish just before serving for a fresh garnish.

Notes

• Always cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushy mac and cheese, which can happen if you overcook the noodles.
• Use room temperature milk when making the cheese sauce to help it blend smoothly and prevent lumps from forming.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free pasta.
• Choose a tangy barbecue sauce that complements the rich cheese sauce, adding depth and complexity to the dish.

• Prep Time: 10-12 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Chicken
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 745 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 980 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg