BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Name: BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) chicken breast, cooked and shredded; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 8 oz (225g) elbow macaroni or pasta of choice; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup milk (low-fat preferred); ½ cup BBQ sauce; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; Salt and pepper to taste; Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

By: CALVIN ROURKE

Published: September 13, 2025

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Why Make This Recipe

BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is a fun twist on the classic comfort food. It combines the creamy goodness of macaroni and cheese with the smoky, tangy flavor of BBQ chicken. This dish is perfect for a family dinner, potlucks, or just a cozy night in. It is easy to make and sure to please both kids and adults!

How to Make BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

1 lb (450g) chicken breast, cooked and shredded
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 oz (225g) elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup milk (low-fat preferred)
½ cup BBQ sauce (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)

Directions

Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes to warm through.
Stir in the BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken in the 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.
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.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

How to Serve BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Serve BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese hot for the best flavor. You can also top it with extra BBQ sauce or cheese for an even richer taste. Pair it with a simple salad or some garlic bread to complete the meal.

How to Store BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

If you have leftovers, let the dish cool completely. Then, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in the microwave or on the stove, adding a little milk if it gets too thick.

Tips to Make BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

For a spicier kick, try adding some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the BBQ chicken mixture.
If you want a crunchy topping, consider adding breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter on top before baking.
Feel free to mix in some vegetables, like broccoli or peas, to add extra nutrition.

Variation

You can easily switch the type of cheese to suit your taste. Use pepper jack for a spicy version, or go with a blend of different cheeses for a unique flavor.

FAQs

1. Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Yes, leftover rotisserie chicken works great. Just shred it and mix it into the dish.

2. Is it okay to use gluten-free pasta?
Absolutely! Feel free to use gluten-free pasta instead of regular elbow macaroni.

3. How can I make this dish vegetarian?
You can substitute the chicken with diced veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of milk for extra flavor.

BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

A fun twist on classic mac and cheese, combining creamy goodness with smoky BBQ chicken flavors. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

By: Calvin Rourke
Category: DINNER
Difficulty: Not specified
Cuisine: Not specified
Yield: 4 Servings
Dietary: None

Ingredients

01 1 lb (450g) chicken breast, cooked and shredded
02 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 8 oz (225g) elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
04 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 1 cup milk (low-fat preferred)
07 ½ cup BBQ sauce
08 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 1 teaspoon onion powder
10 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
11 Salt and pepper to taste
12 Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 01

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 02

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes to warm through.

Step 03

3. Stir in the BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken in the sauce.

Step 04

4. 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.

Step 05

5. 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.

Step 06

6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Step 07

7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Calvin Rourke

My name is Calvin Rourke, and if you ask me when I first fell in love with cooking, I’ll tell you it was the summer I turned nine—right there in my grandmother’s warm Georgia kitchen, with the scent of peaches and butter hanging heavy in the air. She had a way of turning the simplest ingredients into something magical. That summer, she let me help her make peach cobbler from scratch. I remember standing on an old wooden stool, my small hands clumsily rolling dough while she hummed a tune from the radio. The crust was uneven, the filling spilled over the edge, but when we pulled it out of the oven, she looked at me and said, “Well now, that’s a masterpiece.” That’s when I knew—I wanted to cook for the rest of my life. More details about ? see About me page .

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