Oh, mac and cheese. Is there anything more comforting, more soul-satisfying than a big ol’ bowl of creamy, cheesy pasta perfection? I swear, it’s like a warm hug in food form. But sometimes, you just want to kick things up a notch, right? That’s where my Irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe comes in. I first whipped this up when we had a bunch of neighbors over for a last-minute backyard BBQ, and let me tell you, it was a HUGE hit! It’s got all that gooey, cheesy goodness you crave, but with that tangy, smoky kick from the BBQ chicken that just makes it sing. It’s become our go-to for potlucks and busy weeknights alike.

Why You’ll Love This Irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe

It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you need a serious dose of happy.

Super easy to throw together, even on a busy weeknight. Seriously, you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together!

The flavor combo is out of this world – that sweet and tangy BBQ sauce mixed with creamy cheese? Pure magic.

It’s a total crowd-pleaser! Kids and adults alike will devour every last cheesy bite.

You can totally customize it to your liking – more BBQ sauce, extra spice, different cheeses; it’s all up to you!

Uses simple, everyday ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Gather Your Ingredients for Irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese

Okay, so grabbing your ingredients is half the fun, right? It’s like a treasure hunt in your own kitchen! Here’s what you’ll need to get started on this creamy, dreamy dish. Trust me, having everything prepped makes the actual cooking part a total breeze!

1 pound elbow macaroni – The classic shape, but honestly, any pasta you love works!
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Cooked and shredded is best. Quick tip: rotisserie chicken straight from the store is my secret weapon for nights when I’m in a serious hurry!
1 cup BBQ sauce – Your favorite kind is perfect here, whether it’s sweet, smoky, or a little spicy.
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar gives a nice punch, but use what you like!
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese – This adds that extra melty, gooey factor.
1/2 cup milk – Whole milk gives the creamiest sauce, but 2% is fine too.
1/4 cup butter – Unsalted is usually best so you can control the saltiness.
1/4 cup all-purpose flour – This is what thickens up our glorious sauce.
1/2 teaspoon salt – Just enough to bring out all those amazing flavors.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper – Freshly ground is always a winner if you have it!
Optional: chopped green onions for garnish – A little sprinkle of freshness makes it look and taste even better!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese

Alright, let’s get down to business and make this magic happen! Cooking this dish is honestly so straightforward, it’s almost embarrassingly easy. You’ll feel like a culinary superstar in no time. The best part? You get to see all those wonderful ingredients come together to create something truly special. You’re about to make the best Irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe your friends and family have ever tasted! My little cousin, Leo, who is usually super picky, absolutely devoured this last time I made it. He even asked for seconds, which is basically a five-star review in my book!

Preheating and Pasta Preparation

First things first, get that oven preheated to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, get your elbow macaroni cooking according to the package directions. Nobody likes mushy pasta, so keep an eye on it! Once it’s perfectly al dente, drain it well. We want to avoid any extra water in our cheesy masterpiece!

Crafting the Creamy Cheese Sauce

Now for the heart of any good mac and cheese: the sauce! In a large saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Once it’s all liquid gold, whisk in the flour. Let it cook for just about a minute, stirring constantly – this helps get rid of that raw flour taste. Then, slowly, *slowly* whisk in the milk. Keep it moving until the mixture starts to simmer and thicken up beautifully. Take that pan off the heat and stir in both the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Stir until it’s all smooth and gorgeous. My trick? If the cheese is giving you a hard time melting, just pop it back on the *very* low heat for a minute, stirring like crazy! For a little extra something-something, you could even serve this with a side of my amazing homemade cornbread. It’s the perfect combo!

Combining All the Delicious Elements

This is where things get really exciting! Add your drained macaroni, all that yummy shredded chicken, and your flavorful BBQ sauce right into that luscious cheese sauce. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is coated evenly. You want every single bite to have that perfect mix of cheesy goodness, tender chicken, and smoky BBQ flavor.

Baking the Irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese

Pour that glorious mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it out so it’s nice and even. Pop it into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for it to be bubbly around the edges and maybe get a little bit golden brown on top. A little crispiness makes it even more delicious, in my opinion!

Garnishing and Serving

Once it’s out of the oven and looking irresistible, sprinkle it with some fresh chopped green onions if you’re feeling fancy. Serve it up hot and let the compliments roll in!

Tips for the Perfect Irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese

Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, but let me share a few little secrets that will take your Irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe from good to absolutely mind-blowing! These are things I’ve learned over the years of making this dish (and a few *learning experiences* along the way!).

Don’t be shy with the cheese! Seriously, if you love cheese, add a little extra. A handful of shredded cheese on top before baking seriously makes a difference in that golden crust. And make sure your cheese is shredded yourself – pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can make your sauce a little less smooth. Trust me on this one!

Use a good quality BBQ sauce. It really is the star of the show here, so pick a sauce you genuinely love the taste of. If you like a little heat, go for a spicier one, or if you prefer sweet, grab your favorite sweet BBQ sauce. It makes a huge difference in the final flavor.

Shred your own chicken! While rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver for convenience (and I do it *all* the time!), if you have a few extra minutes, baking or boiling your own chicken breasts and shredding them yourself gives you a bit more control over the texture and moisture. Plus, you can season the chicken itself before shredding for even more flavor. For other awesome BBQ chicken ideas, check out my BBQ Chicken Cheese Stromboli!

Taste and adjust! Before you pour everything into the baking dish, give that cheesy mixture a little taste. Does it need another pinch of salt? A bit more pepper? More BBQ sauce? This is your moment to make it perfectly yours!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

So, you’ve got your ingredients list, but maybe you’re wondering about a few things, or perhaps you need to swap something out. Totally normal! Let’s chat about some of the key players here. For that yummy cheddar cheese, if you’re not a fan, you can totally use a sharp provolone, Colby Jack, or even a Gouda. Anything that melts well works like a charm! And for the chicken, like I mentioned, rotisserie chicken is my absolute go-to for speed. But if you’re feeling up to it, boiling or baking chicken breasts until they’re cooked through and then shredding them yourself is also fantastic for controlling the texture and moisture. It’s all about what works best for you!

If you want to serve this with some amazing bread, my homemade cornbread is a perfect match. It’s got just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the savory mac and cheese!

Serving Suggestions for Your BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese

This hearty BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is pretty much a meal in itself, but sometimes you just want a little something extra on the side, right? For a nice, crisp contrast to all that creamy, cheesy goodness, a fresh salad is absolutely perfect. My Super Crunch Salad is always a winner because it’s packed with texture and flavor. You could also go for some simple steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans if you want to keep it super light. And you know what goes great with BBQ flavors? A tall glass of iced tea or even a cold beer on a hot day!

Frequently Asked Questions about BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese

Can I make this Irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese recipe ahead of time?

You totally can! You can assemble the whole dish, cover it really well, and keep it in the fridge for up to a day before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time to make sure it’s heated all the way through. Or, bake it and then reheat it gently!

How should I store leftovers of this BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese?

Leftovers are the best! Just pop any remaining mac and cheese into an airtight container and stick it in the fridge. It should stay good for about 3-4 days. Reheat it gently in the microwave or oven until it’s nice and warm.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, just skip the chicken. You could add some extra veggies like roasted broccoli or cauliflower, or even swap the chicken for some plant-based crumbles or firm tofu that you’ve seasoned up nicely. It’ll still be super cheesy and delicious!

Nutritional Information

Alright, let’s talk numbers! Keep in mind these are just estimates, since the exact amounts can change depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use, especially that delicious BBQ sauce. But generally, one serving of this amazing mac and cheese packs about 650 calories, 35g of fat (around 20g of that’s saturated), 50g of carbs, and a solid 30g of protein. It’s a hearty meal, for sure!

Irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac And Cheese

Author: jekof.com
Total Time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A creamy and flavorful mac and cheese loaded with tender BBQ chicken.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound elbow macaroni
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 cup BBQ sauce
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth.
Stir in salt and pepper.
Add cooked macaroni, shredded chicken, and BBQ sauce to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned.
Garnish with green onions if desired.

Notes

You can use rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.
Adjust the amount of BBQ sauce to your preference.
For a spicier mac and cheese, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 650
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: BBQ chicken mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, chicken pasta