Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe. Creamy, cheesy macaroni gets a flavorful upgrade with tender shredded chicken tossed in tangy BBQ sauce. It’s a delicious twist on a classic dish that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the BBQ Chicken:
- 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (plus more for drizzling)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 4 to 5 minutes. Lower the heat and stir in the cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Combine the mac and cheese with BBQ chicken: In a separate bowl, toss the shredded chicken with BBQ sauce until well coated. Gently fold the BBQ chicken into the mac and cheese. Serve warm, garnished with a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce and chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- For extra flavor, bake the finished dish in a casserole dish topped with more cheese and breadcrumbs at 375°F for 10 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
