Description
A creamy and flavorful BBQ chicken mac and cheese that combines tender shredded chicken with a rich cheese sauce and smoky BBQ flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (or cavatappi)
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie is perfect)
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (plus a little extra for drizzling)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk (whole milk best)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, extra creamy)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for that melty cheese pull)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain.
- BBQ chicken: In a bowl, toss shredded chicken with 3/4 cup BBQ sauce. Set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk (and cream if using). Simmer 3–4 minutes until thickened.
- Season + melt cheese: Stir in garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Turn heat to low and stir in cheddar and mozzarella until smooth.
- Combine: Fold in cooked pasta and BBQ chicken. Stir until everything is coated.
- Optional bake (like the photo): Pour into a greased 9×13 dish, top with a little extra cheese, and bake at 400°F for 8–12 minutes until bubbly. Broil 1–2 minutes for browned spots if you want.
- Serve: Drizzle with a touch more BBQ sauce and sprinkle parsley.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for quick prep.
- Add extra cheese on top before baking for a golden crust.
- Adjust BBQ sauce to your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop/Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: BBQ chicken mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese with chicken, easy mac and cheese casserole, shredded chicken mac and cheese