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Classic Mac Cheese BBQ Chicken

Featured in: Dinner Blast

This comforting casserole layers creamy macaroni and three cheeses with tender shredded chicken tossed in smoky barbecue sauce. Elbow pasta blends into a rich cheese sauce featuring cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Savory BBQ chicken adds a punch of flavor and protein. Topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs and extra cheddar, the dish bakes to bubbling, golden perfection. Ideal as a main course for families or gatherings, it's easy to prepare and pairs well with a crisp salad for a balanced meal. Simple ingredients and familiar tools make it accessible to home cooks of all levels.

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Updated on Sun, 09 Nov 2025 10:00:00 GMT
Creamy Classic Mac & Cheese with BBQ Chicken, topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs. Save
Creamy Classic Mac & Cheese with BBQ Chicken, topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs. | ticktaste.com

A comforting blend of creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with smoky barbecue chicken for the ultimate family-friendly casserole.

This mac & cheese with BBQ chicken first became a favorite during our weekly Sunday gatherings. It always disappears quickly, and everyone asks for seconds.

Ingredients

  • Pasta: 400 g (14 oz) elbow macaroni
  • Cheese Sauce: 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, 700 ml (3 cups) whole milk, 200 g (2 cups) sharp cheddar cheese (shredded), 80 g (3/4 cup) mozzarella cheese (shredded), 60 g (1/2 cup) Parmesan cheese (grated), 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional), 1/4 tsp ground mustard (optional)
  • BBQ Chicken: 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, 150 ml (2/3 cup) barbecue sauce
  • Topping: 50 g (1/2 cup) panko breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp melted butter, 30 g (1/4 cup) cheddar cheese (shredded)

Instructions

Prepare Oven and Dish:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a 22x33 cm (9x13-inch) baking dish.
Cook Pasta:
Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make BBQ Chicken:
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 6 7 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then shred with two forks. Toss shredded chicken with barbecue sauce; set aside.
Prepare Cheese Sauce:
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly, until smooth and thickened (about 5 minutes).
Finish Sauce:
Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and ground mustard until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
Assemble Casserole:
Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce and pour into prepared baking dish. Evenly top with BBQ chicken.
Add Topping:
Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top, followed by extra cheddar.
Bake:
Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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| ticktaste.com

Sharing this casserole around the dinner table is always a highlight. My kids love helping with the breadcrumb topping, and those cheesy bites never fail to make everyone smile.

Required Tools

Large pot, skillet, saucepan, baking dish (9x13-inch), whisk, mixing bowls

Allergen Information

Contains: Milk (dairy), Wheat (gluten). May contain: Eggs (if using certain pasta), soy (if present in BBQ sauce or cheese). Double-check labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 610, Total Fat 27 g, Carbohydrates 59 g, Protein 36 g

Savory Classic Mac & Cheese featuring tender BBQ chicken, bubbling with melted cheese. Save
Savory Classic Mac & Cheese featuring tender BBQ chicken, bubbling with melted cheese. | ticktaste.com

This mac & cheese casserole makes any night feel special. Enjoy the creamy, smoky flavors with your favorite side salad.

Recipe Questions

→ What cheeses should I use?

Sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan give the sauce its creamy, tangy flavor and luscious texture.

→ Can I use leftover chicken?

Yes, rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken works well. Simply shred and toss in barbecue sauce before layering.

→ How do I get a crispy topping?

Panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter and cheddar create a golden, crunchy finish after baking.

→ Is this dish freezer-friendly?

You can assemble, cool, and freeze before baking. Thaw and bake as directed for best results.

→ What sides pair well?

Serve with a fresh green salad or steamed veggies to balance the richness of the casserole.

→ Can I adjust the spiciness?

Use spicy barbecue sauce or add jalapeños to the dish for extra heat per your taste preference.

Classic Mac Cheese BBQ Chicken

Cheesy macaroni topped with tender BBQ chicken and golden panko for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Setup time
20 min
Heat time
35 min
Complete duration
55 min
Created By Jamie Torres

Classification Dinner Blast

Complexity Easy

Cultural Background American

Output 6 Portions

Dietary considerations None specified

Components

Pasta

01 14 oz elbow macaroni

Cheese Sauce

01 3 tbsp unsalted butter
02 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
03 3 cups whole milk
04 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
05 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
06 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
07 1/2 tsp salt
08 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
09 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
10 1/4 tsp ground mustard (optional)

BBQ Chicken

01 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 1 tbsp olive oil
03 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
04 1/2 tsp salt
05 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
06 2/3 cup barbecue sauce

Topping

01 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
02 1 tbsp melted butter
03 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare Oven and Dish: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

Phase 02

Cook Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.

Phase 03

Prepare Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Remove, let rest 5 minutes, shred with forks and toss with barbecue sauce.

Phase 04

Prepare Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly, until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and ground mustard, until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.

Phase 05

Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix cooked macaroni with cheese sauce in a large bowl. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.

Phase 06

Layer BBQ Chicken: Spread barbecue chicken evenly over macaroni and cheese layer.

Phase 07

Add Topping: Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle mixture over casserole along with extra cheddar cheese.

Phase 08

Bake: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Tools needed

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Saucepan
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Whisk
  • Mixing bowls

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare guidance if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (milk, cheese), wheat (gluten).
  • May contain eggs (if using egg-based pasta) and soy (in barbecue sauce or cheese).
  • Verify ingredient packaging for potential hidden allergens.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy Value: 610
  • Fats: 27 g
  • Carbohydrates: 59 g
  • Proteins: 36 g