Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout
Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors. The crispy bacon and tender chicken make this dish irresistible. Keep reading for my tips or jump to the recipe. Try it with a Refreshing Pink Lemonade. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Refreshing Pink Lemonade and Creamy Lemonade Bliss Summer Drink.
Why This Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Irresistible creamy cheese sauce
- Perfectly tender chicken
- Crispy bacon for added crunch
- Better than takeout taste at home
What You'll Need for Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Chicken breasts
- Pasta
- BBQ sauce
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Parsley
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless works best.
- BBQ sauce: Your favorite store-bought or homemade.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time. → See on Amazon
- Heavy-bottomed pot — Distributes heat evenly for perfect pasta every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout
- Cook chicken: Season chicken with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook in a skillet until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest, then shred.
- : Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- : In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour to make a roux. Gradually whisk in milk until thickened. Stir in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- : Add cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and BBQ sauce to the cheese sauce. Stir until well combined.
- : Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy. Drain on paper towels. Crumble and set aside.
- : Transfer mac cheese to a baking dish. Top with crumbled bacon. Broil for 3-5 minutes until golden and bubbly. Garnish with green onions and parsley. Serve hot.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout
- : Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the cheese sauce. If it's too soft, drain and rinse under cold water.
- : For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
- : Make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Storing & Reheating Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the cheese sauce and cook the chicken and pasta up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the fridge. Combine and heat before serving.
Freezing Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add a little milk to prevent drying out.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use whole wheat pasta and reduce the amount of cheese.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with cooked, shredded chicken or turkey.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If it's too thin, cook it a little longer to reduce and thicken.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality non-stick skillet — Prevents chicken and bacon from sticking, ensuring even cooking and easy cleanup. → Check price on Amazon
Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Pasta
- BBQ sauce
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon
Seasonings
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Green onions
- Parsley
Instructions
- Cook chicken: Season chicken with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook in a skillet until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest, then shred.
- : Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- : In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour to make a roux. Gradually whisk in milk until thickened. Stir in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- : Add cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and BBQ sauce to the cheese sauce. Stir until well combined.
- : Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy. Drain on paper towels. Crumble and set aside.
- : Transfer mac cheese to a baking dish. Top with crumbled bacon. Broil for 3-5 minutes until golden and bubbly. Garnish with green onions and parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use whole wheat pasta and reduce the amount of cheese.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with cooked, shredded chicken or turkey.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If it's too thin, cook it a little longer to reduce and thicken.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add a little milk to prevent drying out.
- Make ahead: Prepare the cheese sauce and cook the chicken and pasta up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the fridge. Combine and heat before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, see storage notes for make-ahead tips.
You may have overcooked the pasta or not added enough cheese or milk to the sauce. Next time, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water if it's too soft, and make sure to add enough dairy to the sauce.
Yes, see storage notes for freezing instructions.
No, this recipe is not suitable for the air fryer. It's best cooked on the stove and finished in the oven.
Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese has a smoky, sweet, and tangy flavor from the BBQ sauce and chicken seasoning. It also has tender chicken and crispy bacon for added texture and protein.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac Cheese – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
