Pin Recipe A comforting creamy mac and cheese loaded with tender BBQ chicken and a touch of honey for sweet smoky flavor all made in one pot for easy cleanup.
I first made this when I wanted a filling dinner with minimal effort and fewer dishes. The sweet honey and BBQ sauce make the chicken super flavorful while it all cooks together in the same pan.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 400 g) diced 1 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp garlic powder salt and black pepper to taste
- Sauce: 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce your favorite style 2 tbsp honey
- Pasta & Cheese: 350 g (12 oz) elbow macaroni (uncooked) 3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium chicken broth 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk 2 cups (200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Topping (Optional): 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1/4 cup (25 g) crispy fried onions or bread crumbs
Instructions
- Brown Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken smoked paprika garlic powder salt and pepper. Sauté for 4 4–5 minutes until chicken is lightly browned (it does not need to be fully cooked through yet).
- Add Sauce:
- Stir in BBQ sauce and honey. Cook for 2 minutes coating the chicken.
- Combine Pasta & Liquids:
- Add the uncooked macaroni chicken broth and milk. Stir to combine ensuring the pasta is submerged.
- Simmer:
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10 10–12 minutes stirring occasionally until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Cheese & Butter:
- Stir in butter cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Season:
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat.
- Finish & Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley and crispy onions or bread crumbs if desired. Serve hot.
Pin Recipe My family always gathers around the table for this dish especially on chilly nights. The creamy cheesy pasta mixed with bites of smoky chicken is a guaranteed hit.
Required Tools
Large deep skillet or Dutch oven wooden spoon or spatula measuring cups and spoons cheese grater (if shredding cheese fresh)
Allergen Information
Contains dairy milk cheese butter and wheat macaroni. Always double-check ingredient labels for allergens and choose gluten-free BBQ sauce or pasta if needed.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 670 Total Fat: 23 g Carbohydrates: 74 g Protein: 40 g
Pin Recipe Serve hot for the best creamy texture and flavor. Leftovers reheat well just add a splash of milk before warming.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of chicken works best?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts diced into bite-sized pieces provide a tender texture and absorb the BBQ sauce well.
- → Can I use a different pasta shape?
Elbow macaroni works best due to its size and shape, but small pasta like shells or penne can be substituted for similar results.
- → How do I achieve the smoky flavor?
Using smoked paprika and a smoky BBQ sauce helps create the rich, smoky taste. Adding smoked cheddar cheese enhances the effect further.
- → Is it possible to prepare this without a stove?
This dish requires stovetop cooking to properly simmer the pasta and melt the cheeses, so a large skillet or Dutch oven is necessary.
- → Can this be made spicier?
Adding a dash of hot sauce or substituting regular BBQ sauce with a spicy variant will add heat without overpowering the creamy base.