High-Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese Recipe
A delicious and protein-packed twist on classic mac and cheese, featuring shredded chicken tossed in a honey BBQ sauce and mixed into a creamy cheese pasta. Perfect for a hearty meal or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1½ lbs chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- ½ cup sugar-free BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
Pasta
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (or high-protein pasta)
Sauce
- 1 can (12 oz) fat-free evaporated milk
- ¾ cup shredded light cheddar cheese
- 2 oz light cream cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large saucepan over low heat, combine the fat-free evaporated milk, shredded light cheddar cheese, and light cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the shredded cooked chicken with the sugar-free BBQ sauce and honey until evenly coated. Fold this mixture into the cheese sauce, stirring gently to combine well.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the chicken and cheese sauce. Stir until all the pasta is fully coated with the sauce.
- Serve: Season the macaroni and cheese with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve warm immediately or portion into containers for meal prep.
Notes
- Use high-protein pasta to increase the protein content further.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly before shredding and combining.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently to avoid drying out the sauce.
Keywords: BBQ chicken mac and cheese, high protein mac and cheese, healthy mac and cheese, BBQ chicken pasta, low fat mac and cheese, easy dinner recipes
