Honey BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese (Printable)
Creamy mac and cheese blended with honey-glazed BBQ chicken and melted cheddar in one pot.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 oz), diced
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Sauce
06 - 1 cup (8 fl oz) barbecue sauce, preferred variety
07 - 2 tablespoons honey
→ Pasta and Cheese
08 - 12 oz uncooked elbow macaroni
09 - 3 cups (24 fl oz) low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup (8 fl oz) whole milk
11 - 2 cups (7 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
12 - 1 cup (3.5 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Topping (Optional)
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
15 - 1/4 cup (1 oz) crispy fried onions or bread crumbs
# How-to Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until chicken is lightly browned but not fully cooked.
02 - Stir in barbecue sauce and honey, cooking for 2 minutes to coat the chicken evenly.
03 - Add uncooked elbow macaroni, chicken broth, and whole milk. Stir thoroughly to submerge pasta.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes. Stir occasionally until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
05 - Stir in unsalted butter, shredded cheddar, and mozzarella until fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
06 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley and crispy onions or bread crumbs if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- Easy one-pot meal for minimal cleanup
- Sweet and smoky flavor with honey and BBQ sauce
02 -
- Use smoked cheddar or add chipotle powder for extra smokiness
- Substitute rotisserie chicken adding it at step 2 for convenience
03 -
- For a spicier kick use spicy BBQ sauce or add hot sauce
- Topping with crispy onions adds great crunch