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BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is a creamy pasta dish made with shredded chicken, smoky barbecue sauce, cheddar, and mozzarella.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine American-inspired

Ingredients
  

  • - 1 lb cooked shredded chicken breast
  • - 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • - 1 cup low-fat milk
  • - ½ cup halal-friendly BBQ sauce
  • - 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • - ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • - ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • - ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cook the macaroni

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cooked, shredded chicken and warm for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Add the BBQ flavor

  • Pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken. Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Stir until the chicken is evenly coated in the smoky barbecue mixture.

Step 4: Make the cheese sauce

  • In a medium saucepan, warm the milk over medium-low heat.
  • Gradually add the cheddar and mozzarella, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and forms a creamy sauce. Avoid boiling the mixture.

Step 5: Combine everything

  • Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently until coated.
  • Fold in the BBQ chicken mixture, making sure the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the pasta.

Step 6: Serve

  • Taste your BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese and adjust the seasoning if needed.
  • Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

For a complete meal, serve this creamy BBQ chicken pasta with a fresh green salad, roasted broccoli, or steamed vegetables.
You can add sweet corn, sautéed bell peppers, or caramelized onions for extra flavor and texture.
For a richer barbecue taste, drizzle a little warm BBQ sauce over the finished dish.