Description
Indulge in a creamy, cheesy delight with our High-Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese. The velvety texture of the cheese sauce envelops perfectly cooked pasta, while the sweet and tangy honey BBQ chicken adds a burst of flavor that dances on your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta: 8 oz elbow macaroni
- Chicken: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- Honey BBQ Sauce: 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade
- Cheese Sauce:
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour to create a roux, cooking for about 2 minutes until golden.
- Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, then add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
- In the same skillet, add the cooked chicken and honey BBQ sauce, mixing well to coat the chicken.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and BBQ chicken mixture, stirring until evenly mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Notes
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a healthier option, substitute whole wheat pasta and low-fat cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: main-dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8 grams
- Sodium: 800 milligrams
- Fat: 25 grams
- Saturated Fat: 12 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 50 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 35 grams
- Cholesterol: 90 milligrams
Keywords: High-Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese, mac and cheese, BBQ chicken, high-protein recipes, comfort food, creamy pasta, cheesy pasta, easy dinner, family meal, baked mac and cheese, American cuisine, quick recipes, pasta dishes