Honey BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese (Printable)

Creamy mac with tender BBQ chicken and honey, cooked one pot for simplicity and great flavor.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Sauce

06 - 1 cup BBQ sauce
07 - 2 tbsp honey

→ Pasta & Cheese

08 - 12 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
09 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Topping (Optional)

14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
15 - 1/4 cup crispy fried onions or bread crumbs

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until lightly browned.
02 - Stir in BBQ sauce and honey. Cook for 2 minutes, coating the chicken evenly.
03 - Add uncooked elbow macaroni, chicken broth, and whole milk. Stir to combine, ensuring pasta is submerged.
04 - Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed.
05 - Stir in unsalted butter, shredded cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses. Mix until fully melted and sauce is creamy.
06 - Adjust seasoning to taste, remove from heat, and garnish with chopped parsley and crispy fried onions or bread crumbs if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Quick and easy one-pot preparation for less cleanup
  • Creamy, cheesy comfort food with sweet and smoky BBQ chicken
02 -
  • This recipe contains dairy and wheat, and BBQ sauce may have soy or gluten—check labels
  • Using rotisserie or leftover chicken is a convenient shortcut; stir it in with the BBQ sauce and honey
03 -
  • For extra smokiness, use smoked cheddar or a pinch of chipotle powder
  • Topping with crispy onions or bread crumbs adds a satisfying crunch
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