BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese (Print-Friendly Version)

Juicy chicken and smoky BBQ mingle with creamy cheese and pasta for a comforting weeknight favorite.

# What You’ll Need to Make This:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 450 g cooked chicken breast, shredded
02 - 15 ml olive oil
03 - 225 g elbow macaroni or preferred pasta
04 - 200 g shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 100 g shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 240 ml low-fat milk
07 - 120 ml BBQ sauce
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
10 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - Salt, to taste
12 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish (Optional)

13 - Chopped fresh parsley

# How to Prepare:

01 - Cook macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shredded chicken and sauté for 2–3 minutes until warmed through.
03 - Stir in BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat the chicken.
04 - In a separate saucepan, heat milk over medium heat. Add cheddar and mozzarella cheese, stirring continuously until cheese is fully melted and sauce is smooth.
05 - Fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and stir well to combine.
06 - Add BBQ chicken mixture to the pot. Stir until ingredients are thoroughly integrated and heated through.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Leftover cooked or rotisserie chicken is ideal for saving time.
02 - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
03 - Enhance flavor by mixing in crispy bacon pieces or sautéed onions.