Ingredients
Scale
Gather your ingredients and get ready to create some magic in the kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2% for creaminess)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
If you’re missing something, remember: home cooking is about improvisation. No mozzarella? Use colby jack. No rotisserie chicken? Any leftover chicken will do. That’s the beauty of cooking in a real kitchen—flexibility!
Instructions
Ready to bring this dish to life? Follow these simple steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to form a paste. Cook for about 1 minute, or until golden brown.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
- Stir in the BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Add the shredded chicken and cooked macaroni to the pot, stirring to combine everything evenly.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the chicken is heated through. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
And there it is—BBQ chicken mac and cheese, ready to take its place at your dinner table. It’s a dish that’s been tweaked and loved in my own kitchen, ready to be loved in yours too.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: BBQ chicken mac cheese, recipe, cooking, food