BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
This BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is a deliciously smoky, creamy, and cheesy dish. Packed with tender pieces of chicken and a rich, tangy BBQ sauce, its the ultimate comfort food with a high-protein twist. Perfect for a family dinner or high-protein meal prep. This dish combines the best of BBQ and mac and cheese in one mouthwatering recipe!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz (225g) elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup milk (low-fat preferred)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes to warm through.
- Stir in the BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken in the sauce.
- In a separate saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. Stir in the cheddar and mozzarella cheese, continuing to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring to combine. Then, fold in the BBQ chicken mixture and continue stirring until everything is well mixed.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for a quicker meal.
For extra flavor, add a handful of crispy bacon bits or some sautéed onions.
This dish is great for meal prep! Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 40g
Find it online: https://ingredientidea.com/bbq-chicken-mac-and-cheese/