Description
Experience the ultimate comfort food with a flavorful BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese. This dish combines creamy cheese, tender BBQ chicken, and a smoky twist, making it perfect for crowd-pleasing dinners, parties, or family gatherings. Easy to prepare and customizable, it’s a delicious twist on classic mac and cheese that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 3 cups elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (try different BBQ sauce ideas)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Start by cooking the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. If you haven’t already prepared the chicken, use leftover grilled BBQ chicken or cook fresh chicken breasts and shred them.
- In a large skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until translucent. Add the shredded chicken and stir in the BBQ sauce, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until heated through.
- In a saucepan, combine the sour cream, milk, shredded cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses over medium heat. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce and BBQ chicken mixture. Transfer to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle additional cheese on top if desired.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. For a crispy top, use an air fryer or broiler for an extra 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add vegetables like corn or bell peppers.
- Use leftover grilled BBQ chicken for a deeper smoky taste.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave until hot and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 560 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg