BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Smoky BBQ chicken folded into creamy homemade mac and cheese, baked with a crunchy topping. The ultimate comfort food dinner that’s quick, rich, and satisfying.

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Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Resting Time: 5

Total Time: 35

Servings:

Calories: 720kcal

Cost: $18

Equipment

1 Large pot
1 Large skillet
1 Whisk
1 Box grater
1 Baking dish
1 Silicone spatula

Ingredients

Mac and Cheese Base

1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
4 tablespoons butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk warmed
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
1 cup smoked gouda cheese shredded
½ cup cream cheese softened
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
salt and black pepper to taste

BBQ Chicken

3 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced
½ cup barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon onion powder

Topping

1 cup panko breadcrumbs
¼ cup butter melted
½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
2 green onions sliced thin

Instructions

Cook pasta until al dente.
Heat chicken with BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and onion powder until caramelized.
Melt butter in a skillet, whisk in flour, then slowly add warmed milk to form a roux.
Stir in cheddar, gouda, and cream cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Fold in cooked pasta and BBQ chicken mixture until evenly coated.
Top with panko, melted butter, cheddar, and green onions. Bake until golden.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so it should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition