BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese How to Make It This Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe Is a Crowd-Pleaser

Okay, so I had this craving for something cheesy, something with a bit of kick, and something that wouldn’t take all day to make. That’s when I decided to make BBQ chicken mac and cheese. This wasn’t some fancy gourmet meal, just good old-fashioned comfort food, and it turned out pretty darn tasty. I just grabbed what I had in my fridge and pantry to make this happen.

First, I started cooking some pasta. I think I used elbow macaroni, but really, any short pasta would work. While the pasta was boiling, I started working on the chicken. The original recipe was about chicken thighs, but I only had chicken breasts at home, so I just used them. I diced them up into bite-sized pieces. I am not a big fan of cutting chicken, but it is necessary for this meal. Then, I tossed them in a bowl with a generous amount of BBQ sauce. I love it sweet so I used Sweet Baby Ray’s – it’s my go-to. Make sure every piece was nicely coated.

Next, I heated up some oil in a big pan and threw in the chicken. I cooked it until it was done and the BBQ sauce started to caramelize a bit. It smelled amazing! While the chicken was cooking, I quickly whipped up a simple cheese sauce. Nothing fancy, just butter, flour, milk, and a whole bunch of shredded cheddar cheese. I whisked it until it was smooth and creamy.

Once the pasta was cooked, I drained it and added it to the cheese sauce. Then I dumped in the cooked BBQ chicken and stirred everything together. It was looking pretty good at this point, all cheesy and saucy. I seasoned it with some salt and pepper, and that was it! I thought it might be a bit dry so I added a little bit of milk to the pot while I was mixing.

I served it up in bowls, and it was a hit! The combination of the creamy cheese sauce, the tangy BBQ chicken, and the pasta was just what I was craving. It was a super easy and satisfying meal that I’ll definitely be making again. Next time, I’ll probably add a bit of heat to the cheese sauce, maybe some smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce.

Here’s what I used:

• Elbow macaroni (or any short pasta)
• Chicken breasts (or thighs)
• BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s for me!)
• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt
• Pepper

Improvements for Next Time

• Add some heat: Smoked paprika or hot sauce in the cheese sauce.
• Maybe try different cheeses: A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack could be good.
• Add some veggies: Some chopped onions or bell peppers could be a nice addition.

This BBQ chicken mac and cheese was a winner in my book. It’s easy, it’s tasty, and it’s definitely going into my regular meal rotation.