Description
BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, combining creamy macaroni with tender, smoky BBQ chicken and gooey melted cheese. This dish is perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in, transforming any meal into a celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook chicken: Preheat grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper; cook until golden brown and fully cooked. Shred once cooled.
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot; cook elbow macaroni until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in milk until smooth; stir in cheddar cheese until melted.
- Combine: Mix shredded chicken and BBQ sauce into the cheese sauce. Fold in cooked macaroni until evenly coated. Transfer to a baking dish; sprinkle breadcrumbs on top if using.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg