1. Main
  2. Dishes
  3. Classic Mac Cheese BBQ Chicken

Classic Mac Cheese BBQ Chicken

Featured in: All-American Desserts

This classic dish combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich, creamy cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Smoky barbecue chicken adds a flavorful twist, topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs and extra cheese for a crispy finish. Baked until golden, this casserole balances creamy textures and smoky notes for a satisfying family-friendly main.

Preparation involves cooking the pasta al dente, shredding barbecue-seasoned chicken, and making a velvety cheese sauce from scratch before layering and baking everything together. The result is a comforting, flavorful meal suitable for any day of the week.

Save Share Email Print Skip to recipe
Updated on Sat, 15 Nov 2025 12:48:00 GMT
Classic mac & cheese with BBQ chicken: a bubbling casserole featuring creamy pasta and tender, smoky chicken. Save
Classic mac & cheese with BBQ chicken: a bubbling casserole featuring creamy pasta and tender, smoky chicken. | dashofstates.com

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

I first made this classic mac & cheese with BBQ chicken on a chilly weekend, and it instantly became a favorite in our home. The combination of gooey cheese sauce and tangy barbecue pulled chicken made this casserole so satisfying.

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

Prep Oven & 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.
Prepare 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 and set aside.
Make 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).
Add Cheese & Seasonings:
Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and ground mustard until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
Combine & Assemble:
Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce and pour into prepared baking dish. Evenly top with BBQ chicken.
Topping:
Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top, followed by extra cheddar.
Bake & Serve:
Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
A close-up of baked classic mac & cheese with BBQ chicken, golden crust with savory chicken visible. Save
A close-up of baked classic mac & cheese with BBQ chicken, golden crust with savory chicken visible. | dashofstates.com

My kids love helping sprinkle the cheese and breadcrumbs on top before baking. Serving this at a family dinner always brings smiles and second helpings.

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

Family-friendly classic mac and cheese with BBQ chicken, the perfect weeknight comfort food dinner idea. Save
Family-friendly classic mac and cheese with BBQ chicken, the perfect weeknight comfort food dinner idea. | dashofstates.com

This casserole is even better as leftovers the next day. Enjoy with your favorite sides for a hearty meal everyone will love.

Recipe FAQ

→ How do I achieve a creamy cheese sauce?

Start by melting butter and whisking in flour to form a roux. Gradually add warm milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Then, melt in a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a smooth, rich sauce.

→ Can I use pre-cooked chicken instead of cooking from raw?

Yes, shredded rotisserie or leftover chicken can be tossed with barbecue sauce and used as a convenient substitute without compromising flavor.

→ What does smoked paprika add to the dish?

Smoked paprika imparts a subtle smoky sweetness and depth, complementing the barbecue flavors in the chicken and enhancing the cheese sauce.

→ How can I get a crispy topping on this dish?

Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole before baking. This creates a golden, crunchy crust that contrasts with the creamy interior.

→ What side dishes pair well with this casserole?

A crisp green salad or steamed vegetables provide freshness and balance to the rich, cheesy main, making for a well-rounded meal.

→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the casserole in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving, adding a few extra minutes if baking straight from cold.

Classic Mac Cheese BBQ Chicken

Creamy macaroni with a smoky BBQ chicken topping, baked to golden perfection and perfect for family meals.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
35 min
Complete duration
55 min
Created by Jordan Miller


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 6 Portions

Nutritional 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

Method

Phase 01

Prepare oven and baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Phase 02

Cook pasta: Boil elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Phase 03

Cook and shred chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest 5 minutes, then shred with forks. Toss shredded chicken with barbecue sauce and set aside.

Phase 04

Prepare cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and ground mustard until smooth and creamy.

Phase 05

Combine pasta and cheese sauce: Mix cooked macaroni with cheese sauce thoroughly, then pour into the prepared baking dish.

Phase 06

Add BBQ chicken topping: Distribute the barbecue chicken evenly over the macaroni and cheese layer.

Phase 07

Prepare and add breadcrumb topping: Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle over the top, then evenly distribute shredded cheddar cheese.

Phase 08

Bake until golden: Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until the topping is golden and bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if you're uncertain.
  • Contains milk (dairy) and wheat (gluten). May contain eggs and soy depending on pasta and barbecue sauce ingredients.

Nutrient breakdown (each portion)

These figures are approximate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Energy: 610
  • Fats: 27 g
  • Carbohydrates: 59 g
  • Proteins: 36 g