Irresistible 30-Minute BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

Author: Carry

Published: July 31, 2025

Updated: August 2, 2025

Oh, you’re in for the ultimate comfort food treat with this BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese! It’s like your favorite macaroni and cheese went on a date with smoky BBQ chicken and fell madly in love. I first made this for my nephew’s birthday (he still begs me to make it every month) and now it’s my go-to when I need to impress without stress. As someone who’s been testing mac and cheese recipes since college – from boxed to gourmet – this version hits that perfect sweet spot between familiar and exciting. The creamy cheese sauce hugs every noodle while the tender BBQ chicken adds that satisfying smoky-sweet punch. Trust me, once you try this combo, plain mac and cheese just won’t cut it anymore!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

This isn’t just any mac and cheese – it’s comfort food with attitude! Here’s why it’ll become your new favorite:

Creamy dreamy texture: That velvety cheese sauce coats every noodle perfectly, thanks to my foolproof roux technique (no grainy sauces here!)
Flavor explosion: Smoky BBQ chicken mingles with sharp cheddar in ways that’ll make your taste buds dance
Weeknight hero: Ready in 30 minutes flat – faster than waiting for pizza delivery
Kid-approved magic: Even picky eaters gobble this up (I’ve seen it work miracles at sleepovers)
Leftover superstar: Tastes even better the next day – if there’s any left!

Seriously, this BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is the happy marriage of easy and impressive that every busy cook needs in their recipe arsenal.

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Here’s everything you’ll need to make the creamiest, most flavorful BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese – I’ve learned through trial and error that quality ingredients make all the difference!

2 cups elbow macaroni (the classic shape holds sauce perfectly)
1 cup cooked BBQ chicken, shredded (use leftovers or roast a breast with your favorite rub)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, packed (block cheese you shred yourself melts better than pre-shredded)
1 cup whole milk (trust me, the extra fat makes the sauce silkier)
2 tbsp butter (salted or unsalted both work)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour (this is key for that perfect roux thickness)
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (pick your favorite – I go for smoky over sweet)
1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste after adding the BBQ sauce)
1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked if you’ve got it!)

See those flour and butter measurements? That’s the golden ratio for a sauce that clings to every noodle without getting gloppy. I learned that the hard way after one too many soupy mac and cheese disasters!

Equipment You’ll Need

You won’t need any fancy gadgets for this BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese – just these kitchen workhorses:

A large pot for boiling the pasta (I use my trusty 6-quart Dutch oven)
A medium saucepan for crafting that luscious cheese sauce
A whisk (your sauce’s best friend for lump-free smoothness)
A colander – because nobody wants starchy pasta water in their cheese sauce
Measuring cups and spoons (eyeballing the roux ingredients never ends well… ask me how I know!)

That’s it! Now let’s get cooking – your tastebuds are in for a treat.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Ready to create the most irresistible BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese of your life? Follow these simple steps – I’ll walk you through each stage so you get perfect results every time!

Cooking the Pasta

First, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your elbow macaroni and cook for about 7-8 minutes, just until al dente (it should still have a slight bite). Drain in a colander but don’t rinse – that starchy coating helps the cheese sauce cling beautifully!

Preparing the Cheese Sauce

Now for the magic! In your saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until it smells nutty (this is your roux). Slowly pour in milk while whisking constantly – no lumps allowed! Keep stirring until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in shredded cheese until melted and smooth. Finally, mix in that tangy BBQ sauce – the aroma at this point is absolutely heavenly!

Combining All Ingredients

Time for the grand finale! Gently fold your cooked pasta and shredded BBQ chicken into the cheese sauce until everything is gloriously coated. I like to let it sit for 2 minutes off heat – this helps the sauce cling to every noodle. Grab your spoon and dig into this creamy, smoky, cheesy perfection!

Tips for Perfect BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

After making this BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese more times than I can count, here are my foolproof secrets for absolute perfection:

Sauce too thick? Whisk in warm milk a tablespoon at a time – it’ll loosen up beautifully without breaking
Cheese matters! Always shred your own – pre-shredded has anti-caking agents that make sauces grainy
BBQ sauce too sweet? Balance it with a splash of apple cider vinegar or a pinch of cayenne
Want extra smokiness? Stir in a teaspoon of smoked paprika with the flour – game changer!

Remember, the best BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese comes from tasting as you go – adjust seasonings until it makes you do a little happy dance!

Serving Suggestions

This BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is a showstopper all on its own, but here’s how to make it a complete meal:

Pair with garlic bread for the ultimate comfort food combo (those crispy edges are perfect for scooping up every last bit of cheese sauce!)
Balance the richness with a crisp green salad – the fresh crunch cuts through the creaminess beautifully
Top with chopped fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color and freshness
For extra indulgence, sprinkle some crumbled bacon on top – because why not?

Serve it straight from the pot for that irresistible “family-style” charm – the ooey-gooey cheese pull is half the fun!

Pair It With These Comfort Classics

Want more cozy dinner inspiration? Try these related recipes:

Dig into this ultra-creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Baked Penne for another hearty pasta dish.
For a crockpot-friendly option, check out the addictively creamy Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Crack Chicken.
Enjoy the layered deliciousness of Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna, perfect for make-ahead meals.
Looking for something handheld? These Cheddar Ranch Chicken Burgers are bursting with bold flavors.
If you love mac and cheese in every form, these Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese Bites are a hit with kids and grownups alike.
For a Southwestern twist, serve up this Cowboy Cornbread Casserole alongside your BBQ mac.

Storage and Reheating

Here’s the great news about this BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese – it keeps like a dream! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk and warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. The sauce will come back to life beautifully – almost like you just made it! Microwave works too (stir every 30 seconds), but the stovetop method keeps that creamy texture perfect.

BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese Variations

Once you’ve mastered this BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese, try these fun twists to keep things exciting:

Cheese swap: Replace half the cheddar with smoked Gouda for incredible depth
Veggie boost: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach – my sneaky way to add nutrients
Spice it up: Mix in diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for adventurous palates
Crunch factor: Top with buttered breadcrumbs or crushed potato chips before baking (trust me, it’s amazing!)

The beauty of this recipe? It welcomes creativity while staying gloriously cheesy at its core!

Nutrition Information

Just a quick note – these nutritional values are estimates and will vary based on your specific ingredients. Per generous 1-cup serving of BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese, you’re looking at:

450 calories
25g protein (thanks to that chicken and cheese!)
18g fat (9g saturated)
45g carbs

Remember, comfort food is meant to be enjoyed – and this dish packs plenty of satisfaction in every bite!

FAQ

Got questions about this BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese? I’ve got answers from all my kitchen experiments!

Can I use pre-shredded cheese? You can, but freshly grated melts smoother. Pre-shredded has anti-caking agents that sometimes make the sauce slightly grainy. When I’m in a hurry, I’ll use half pre-shredded and half fresh – best of both worlds!
How spicy should the BBQ sauce be? That’s totally up to you! I prefer a medium smoky sauce, but for kids, go mild. Want heat? Add extra cayenne or use a spicy BBQ sauce – just taste as you mix it in.
Can I make it ahead? Absolutely! Prepare everything but wait to mix the pasta and sauce until reheating. Store them separately in the fridge for up to 2 days – the noodles won’t get mushy this way.
What if my sauce breaks? Don’t panic! Remove from heat and whisk in a spoonful of hot pasta water or extra milk. The starch helps bring it back together beautifully.
Can I use different pasta shapes? Of course! Cavatappi and shells hold sauce wonderfully too. Just avoid very thin pastas – they can get lost in all that cheesy goodness.

There you have it – all my BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese wisdom bottled up for you! Happy cooking!