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BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Delight

This BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food, blending creamy cheeses and tender chicken with smoky BBQ sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Elbow macaroni Feel free to substitute with shell or penne pasta.
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 4 tablespoon Unsalted butter Salted butter can be used for extra flavor.
  • ¼ cup All-purpose flour Gluten-free flour works well too.
  • 2 cups Milk Whole milk is preferred.
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese A mix of cheddar and gouda can be used.
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese Similar melting cheeses can be used.
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder Adjust if using fresh garlic.
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder Fresh onions can be sautéed for a fresher taste.
  • to taste Salt and pepper Adjust to your preference.
For the BBQ Chicken Mixture
  • 2 cups Shredded chicken Rotisserie chicken simplifies prep.
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce Choose your favorite brand or homemade.
For Garnish and Texture
  • 2 tablespoon Green onions Substitute with red onions for a stronger flavor.
  • ¼ cup Fresh parsley Optional for garnish.
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs Panko breadcrumbs add a delightful lightness.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Medium saucepan
  • baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux.
  3. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Add 1 cup each of shredded cheddar and mozzarella, stirring until melted. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well coated.
  5. In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups of shredded chicken with ½ cup of BBQ sauce.
  6. Fold the BBQ chicken mixture into the pasta and cheese sauce evenly.
  7. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and spoon the mixture in, smoothing the top.
  8. Optional: Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over the top for added crunch.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
  10. Let it rest for 10 minutes, then drizzle with extra BBQ sauce and sprinkle with green onions or parsley before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For best results, use good-quality cheese and allow the dish to rest before serving to improve the texture.

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