Description
This BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, combining creamy, cheesy pasta with tender, smoky barbecue chicken. A perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, this easy homemade recipe is great for busy weeknights or a family-friendly dinner. Serve it with a fresh side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded gouda cheese (optional, for extra smokiness)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute until golden.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, stirring constantly, until smooth. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat to low and add cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- In a separate bowl, toss the shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, then fold in the BBQ chicken.
- Serve warm, drizzled with extra BBQ sauce and garnished with green onions.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy option.
- Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
- Add crispy bacon or caramelized onions for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg