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BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 13 reviews

This BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese combines creamy, cheesy pasta with smoky, tangy BBQ chicken for a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Cheese Sauce

  • 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)

BBQ Chicken

  • 1 lb (450g) chicken breast, cooked and shredded
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain it well and set aside to prepare the other components.
  2. Warm the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
  3. Prepare BBQ chicken mixture: Stir in the BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the chicken. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce.
  4. Make cheese sauce: In a separate saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat. Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese, continuing to stir until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
  5. Combine pasta and cheese sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat all the pasta evenly with the cheesy mixture.
  6. Incorporate BBQ chicken: Fold in the BBQ chicken mixture into the cheesy pasta. Stir well to combine all ingredients ensuring each bite has both cheese and BBQ chicken flavors.
  7. Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the mac and cheese and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness.

Notes

  • Use rotisserie chicken as a time saver instead of cooking chicken breasts from scratch.
  • For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to the cheese sauce.
  • Smoked paprika can be substituted with regular paprika if unavailable, though the smoky flavor is signature in this dish.
  • Choose your favorite BBQ sauce style – sweet, spicy, or smoky – to tailor the flavor profile.
  • This dish can be baked for 10-15 minutes at 350°F (175°C) for a crispy top layer if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ chicken, mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, easy dinner, smoky flavor

Find it online: https://cheframi.com/bbq-chicken-mac-and-cheese-recipe/