Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food that combines creamy, cheesy pasta with tender, smoky barbecue chicken. This dish is perfect for cozy nights in or casual get-togethers, delivering unforgettable flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds. With simple ingredients and foolproof techniques, you can create a restaurant-quality meal at home that’s both satisfying and visually appealing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup honey BBQ sauce
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional)
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Season chicken with salt and pepper and coat with honey BBQ sauce in a baking dish.
- Bake chicken for 25-30 minutes until cooked through. Shred once cooled.
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions; drain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, then stir in milk followed by cheddar cheese until smooth.
- Combine shredded chicken, remaining honey BBQ sauce, macaroni, and cheese sauce in a large bowl; mix well.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with breadcrumbs if desired, and bake for another 20-25 minutes until bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Customize by adding vegetables like broccoli or swapping chicken for smoked sausage. For extra creaminess, mix in cream cheese or sour cream to the cheese sauce.