Classic Mac Cheese BBQ Chicken (Printable)

Creamy macaroni and cheese layered with smoky barbecue chicken and a crispy topping for hearty family meals.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 3 cups whole milk
05 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
10 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
11 - 1/4 tsp ground mustard (optional)

→ BBQ Chicken

12 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil
14 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
17 - 2/3 cup barbecue sauce

→ Topping

18 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
19 - 1 tbsp melted butter
20 - 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil macaroni following package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove from heat, rest 5 minutes, shred, and toss with barbecue sauce.
04 - In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, cooking until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
05 - Remove sauce from heat. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and ground mustard until smooth and well combined.
06 - Mix cooked macaroni with cheese sauce. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Arrange BBQ chicken evenly on top.
07 - Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle over chicken and macaroni. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
08 - Bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect for weeknight dinners
  • Combines classic mac & cheese with flavorful BBQ chicken
02 -
  • Contains milk and wheat allergens
  • For gluten-free, use GF pasta and breadcrumbs
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken for a faster meal
  • Add jalapeños or onions for a flavor boost
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