Description
Comfort meets sizzle in this bbq chicken mac & cheese fusion, blending smoky grilled chicken with creamy pasta perfection. Rich, cheesy goodness brings Southern charm to your dinner table, promising a deliciously satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded gouda cheese
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare macaroni by boiling in salted water until perfectly tender, then thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Create a roux in a spacious cooking vessel by melting butter and incorporating flour, stirring continuously until achieving a golden, fragrant consistency.
- Gradually introduce milk to the roux, whisking methodically to prevent lumps and create a silky, smooth base that gently thickens over low heat.
- Lower temperature and incorporate cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda cheeses, stirring until completely melted and forming a luxurious, creamy sauce.
- Enhance the cheese sauce with a balanced blend of salt, freshly ground pepper, aromatic garlic powder, and smoky paprika for depth of flavor.
- Separately prepare the protein by coating shredded chicken generously with tangy BBQ sauce, ensuring each strand is well-glazed.
- Merge the velvety cheese sauce with cooked macaroni, creating a harmonious mixture that coats each pasta curve.
- Delicately fold the BBQ-glazed chicken into the mac and cheese, distributing the meat evenly throughout the dish.
- Present the mac and cheese hot, embellishing with an additional drizzle of BBQ sauce and a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Enhance cheese sauce texture by gradually adding cheese at low temperature to prevent graininess and ensure silky smoothness.
- Customize BBQ chicken flavor by trying different regional BBQ sauces like Carolina vinegar-based or Kansas City sweet styles for unique taste profiles.
- Make dish gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend and using gluten-free pasta.
- Balance smoky BBQ chicken with sharp cheddar cheese to create deeper, more complex flavor dimensions in the mac and cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg