Let me tell you, this BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is one of those recipes that hits every craving at once. It’s creamy, cheesy, smoky, and packed with flavor. The BBQ chicken is tender and saucy, and the mac and cheese is extra smooth with a hint of paprika and garlic. I love making this when I want something hearty, warm, and comforting. It’s a cozy dinner that feels special but is easy enough for a weeknight.
Method
Cook the Chicken
To start, take your skinless and boneless chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Place the chicken in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic granules, 1 teaspoon of onion granules, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Mix everything together until the chicken is well coated with the spices and oil.
Next, heat a frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and let them cook undisturbed for a couple of minutes to get a nice sear. Then stir occasionally, cooking the chicken for about 8–10 minutes in total until it’s golden brown and cooked all the way through. Once the chicken is done, reduce the heat to low and add 6 tablespoons of BBQ sauce. Stir everything together so the chicken is evenly coated in that sticky, smoky sauce. Let it bubble gently for a minute, then remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.
Boil the Macaroni
While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, add 180g of dried macaroni. Cook according to the package instructions usually around 8–10 minutes until the pasta is just tender but still has a slight bite (this is called al dente). Before you drain the pasta, carefully scoop out about 120ml (or ½ cup) of the pasta water and set it aside. This starchy water is key for loosening up your cheese sauce later. Then drain the macaroni and leave it in the colander while you prepare the sauce.
Make the Cheese Sauce
In a medium saucepan, melt 15g of butter over low heat. Once the butter is fully melted, add 1½ tablespoons of plain flour. Whisk the mixture constantly for about a minute until it forms a smooth paste. This is your roux, and it helps thicken the sauce. Slowly pour in 250ml of semi-skimmed milk while whisking continuously to avoid any lumps. Once the milk is fully incorporated, add 140ml of single cream and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and starting to thicken.
Now it’s time to add the flavor sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon of garlic granules, ½ teaspoon of paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Once the sauce is gently bubbling and thick, remove it from the heat and stir in 60g of grated four-cheese mix. Stir until the cheese melts completely. If the sauce feels too thick, gradually add a bit of the reserved pasta water until you get the silky, creamy texture you want. Don’t rush this part it’s all about smoothness.
Combine It All
With the cheese sauce ready, gently stir the cooked macaroni into the sauce. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to fold everything together so the pasta is coated in that creamy, cheesy goodness. Now you can either mix in the BBQ chicken directly or serve the mac and cheese in bowls and spoon the BBQ chicken on top for a fancier presentation. Either way, the result is rich, smoky, and incredibly comforting. Serve hot and dig in!
Necessary Tools
- Large pot (for boiling pasta)
- Medium saucepan (for cheese sauce)
- Frying pan or skillet (for chicken)
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Tongs
- Sharp knife and cutting board
BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy3
servings15
minutes30
minutes45
minutesIngredients
For the Chicken
400g chicken thighs (skinless & boneless)
6 tbsp BBQ sauce
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic granules
1 tsp onion granules
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Mac and Cheese
180g dried macaroni
250ml semi-skimmed milk
140ml single cream
60g grated four-cheese mix
15g butter
1½ tbsp plain flour
120ml reserved pasta water
¼ tsp garlic granules
½ tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Cook the Chicken – Cut the chicken thighs into bite-size chunks. In a bowl, mix with olive oil, paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, salt, and pepper. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until browned and cooked through (about 8–10 minutes). Add the BBQ sauce and toss until coated and sticky. Set aside.
- Boil the Macaroni – Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package instructions. Before draining, save about 120ml of the pasta water. Drain the rest and set pasta aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce – In a saucepan, melt butter on low heat. Add the flour and whisk to make a roux (a thick paste). Slowly pour in the milk and whisk until smooth. Add the cream, paprika, garlic granules, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cheese until melted. Pour in the reserved pasta water a little at a time to thin the sauce as needed.
- Combine It All – Add the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and stir until coated. Top with BBQ chicken and gently mix or serve the chicken right on top for presentation.
Notes
- Don’t skip saving that pasta water it helps make your cheese sauce silky.
- When making the roux, don’t let the flour burn. Keep the heat low and stir constantly.
- Add the cheese off the heat or it might split and go grainy.
- Chicken should be cooked fully before adding BBQ sauce, or the sugar in the sauce might burn.
- Don’t overcook the pasta it will soften more when mixed into the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with crispy fried onions or chopped spring onions for crunch.
- Serve with garlic bread or roasted broccoli on the side.
- Want some heat? Drizzle on a little sriracha or hot BBQ sauce.
Fun Fact
Mac and cheese goes all the way back to the 18th century! Even Thomas Jefferson loved it so much he served it at a state dinner. Add BBQ chicken, and now it’s a full-on flavor party!
Conclusion
This BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is a total winner warm, rich, and full of flavor. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a hug in a bowl, perfect for family dinner or even meal prep for the week. With creamy cheese, smoky spices, and juicy chicken, it’s everything I love in one dish. Try it once, and it’ll probably end up in your regular dinner rotation.
