BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
A delicious twist on traditional mac and cheese, combining creamy cheese, tender chicken, and tangy BBQ sauce for a hearty family favorite.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded Use leftover rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or pasta of choice Any pasta shape works.
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Feel free to mix and match cheeses.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup milk (low-fat preferred)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce Use your favorite brand.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Preparing Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes to warm it through.
- Stir in the BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken in the sauce.
Making Cheese 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.
Combining Ingredients
- 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.
Serving
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
This can be served as a main dish. It pairs nicely with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables. You can top it with extra BBQ sauce or cheese for added flavor.