Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Craving comfort food? This Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate recipe for a creamy, cheesy, and irresistible dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it from becoming dry. The crispy, golden cheese top layer makes it better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy BBQ Ranch Turkey Smash Burgers for a Guilt-Free Grilling Treat and Delicious Ground Chicken Burgers: Healthy & Customizable Joys.
Why This Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy and cheesy with a crispy top
- Packed with flavor from the BBQ chicken
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Comfort food at its best, perfect for cozy nights
What You'll Need for Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Optional: Chopped green onions
- Optional: Crumbled bacon
- Optional: Shredded cheese for topping
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken: Rotisserie chicken works great for a shortcut.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and cooks chicken perfectly → See on Amazon
- High-quality cheese grater — Makes shredding cheese quick and easy → See on Amazon
How to Make Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
- Cook macaroni: Boil salted water and cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Shred chicken: Shred cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix chicken and BBQ sauce: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken and BBQ sauce. Mix well.
- Combine macaroni and chicken: In a large pot, mix cooked macaroni and chicken BBQ mixture. Stir in heavy cream and 2 cups of shredded cheese.
- Bake: Transfer the macaroni mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the macaroni. It will continue to cook in the oven. If it's too soft, your mac and cheese will be mushy.
- Pro tip: For an extra crispy top, broil the mac and cheese for 2-3 minutes after baking.
- Pro tip: Add a splash of milk to the pot before baking for a creamier mac and cheese.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add some diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken BBQ mixture.
Storing & Reheating Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
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: You can assemble the mac and cheese ahead of time and refrigerate. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Freezing Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
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 (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use whole wheat macaroni and low-fat milk.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with cooked ground beef or turkey for a different flavor.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your mac and cheese is too dry, add a splash of milk and mix well. If it's too wet, bake it a little longer to evaporate some of the liquid.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly cooked mac and cheese → Check price on Amazon
Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions
- Crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheese for topping
Instructions
- Cook macaroni: Boil salted water and cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Shred chicken: Shred cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix chicken and BBQ sauce: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken and BBQ sauce. Mix well.
- Combine macaroni and chicken: In a large pot, mix cooked macaroni and chicken BBQ mixture. Stir in heavy cream and 2 cups of shredded cheese.
- Bake: Transfer the macaroni mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use whole wheat macaroni and low-fat milk.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with cooked ground beef or turkey for a different flavor.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your mac and cheese is too dry, add a splash of milk and mix well. If it's too wet, bake it a little longer to evaporate some of the liquid.
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 (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the mac and cheese ahead of time and refrigerate. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 16g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the mac and cheese ahead of time and refrigerate. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
If your mac and cheese is too dry, add a splash of milk and mix well. If it's too wet, bake it a little longer to evaporate some of the liquid.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
No, this recipe is not suitable for the air fryer. It's best to bake it in the oven.
You can substitute the chicken with cooked ground beef or turkey for a different flavor.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Shredded BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe 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!
