BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: Indulgent Comfort Food with Turkey Bacon
BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is a delicious blend of shredded chicken, gooey cheese, and BBQ sauce, perfect for a cozy meal.
Equipment
- Skillet
- Saucepan
- colander
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz 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
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for a quicker meal. For extra flavor, add a handful of crispy bacon bits or some sautéed onions. This dish is great for meal prep! Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 40gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g
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