Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese
Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese is a high-protein dinner ready in 50 minutes. It uses shredded chicken and real cheddar for a rich taste.
This dish brings together crispy chicken and creamy pasta. It tastes like comfort but packs enough protein to fill you up.
You will find this on the table fast. The sauce stays smooth without getting greasy or clumpy.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients
2 cups (180g) elbow macaroni
Use small shapes that hold the sauce better than large shells.
4 cups (320g) shredded cheddar cheese
Buy a block and grate it yourself for better melting than pre-shredded bags.
3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
Use rotisserie chicken from the store to save thirty minutes of cooking.
1/2 cup honey
Maple syrup works if you want less stickiness in the final dish.
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
Check the label for sugar content as brands vary wildly in sweetness.
2 tbsp butter
Unsalted butter gives you control over how much salt goes into the mix.
1 onion, finely chopped
Yellow onions provide the best base flavor for savory sauces like this one.
2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh garlic adds more punch than the powder found in spice racks.
2 cups milk
Whole milk creates the thickest sauce without needing heavy cream.
1 tsp salt
Add half first then taste before adding the rest since cheeses differ in saltiness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook pasta al dente
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Drop the macaroni in and cook for two minutes less than package instructions say.
2. Sauté onion and garlic
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion until soft and translucent before adding the garlic.
3. Mix sauce ingredients
Whisk together the milk, honey, and BBQ sauce in a bowl. Pour this mixture into the pan with the onions.
4. Simmer sauce gently
Let the liquid bubble lightly for five minutes. Do not boil hard or the sauce will break.
5. Add cheese slowly
Turn the heat down to low. Stir in the cheddar handful by handful until melted.
6. Combine chicken and pasta
Fold in the cooked macaroni and diced chicken. Mix everything until the pasta is fully coated.
7. Season and serve hot
Taste the mixture and add salt if needed. Serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey.
Pro Tips
How to Store Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to four days.
Freezer
Freeze portions in freezer bags for up to three months.
Reheating
Reheat in a pan with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Delicious Variations
- Swap chicken for black beans to make this vegetarian.
- Add corn kernels for a sweet crunch inside the creamy sauce.
- Top with crushed crackers before baking for a crispy layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the dish and refrigerate it overnight before baking. Add a little extra milk when reheating to keep it moist.
Q: Why did my cheese sauce split?
The heat was likely too high causing the fats to separate. Always melt cheese over low heat while stirring constantly.
Q: How do I know when the pasta is done?
Taste a piece; it should be tender but still have a slight bite. Overcooked pasta turns mushy in the sauce.
Q: What can I use instead of milk?
Half-and-half or heavy cream works better for thickness. Water mixed with a spoon of cream also helps thin the sauce.
Make this tonight for a quick family meal that everyone loves.
Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese
Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese is a high-protein dinner ready in 50 minutes. It uses shredded chicken and real cheddar for a rich taste.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups (180g) elbow macaroni
- 4 cups (320g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp salt
📋 Instructions
- 1Cook pasta al dente — Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Drop the macaroni in and cook for two minutes less than package instructions say.
- 2Sauté onion and garlic — Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion until soft and translucent before adding the garlic.
- 3Mix sauce ingredients — Whisk together the milk, honey, and BBQ sauce in a bowl. Pour this mixture into the pan with the onions.
- 4Simmer sauce gently — Let the liquid bubble lightly for five minutes. Do not boil hard or the sauce will break.
- 5Add cheese slowly — Turn the heat down to low. Stir in the cheddar handful by handful until melted.
- 6Combine chicken and pasta — Fold in the cooked macaroni and diced chicken. Mix everything until the pasta is fully coated.
- 7Season and serve hot — Taste the mixture and add salt if needed. Serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey.
