Amazing Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

Oh, mac and cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort food, right? That creamy, dreamy, cheesy goodness just hits the spot every single time. But let’s be real, sometimes a classic bowl leaves you feeling a little… well, heavy. That’s where my Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe comes in to save the day! I whipped this up during a crazy week when I needed a dinner that was both ridiculously satisfying and also packed a protein punch to keep everyone going. Imagine tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, smoky honey BBQ sauce, all mixed into the creamiest, cheesiest pasta you’ve ever had. It’s a total game-changer that my whole family devours, and trust me, getting my picky eaters excited about dinner was a triumph!

Why You’ll Love This Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

• It’s ridiculously easy and quick, perfect for those busy weeknights when you’re short on time but big on cravings.
• The flavor combo is out of this world – that sweet and smoky honey BBQ chicken with creamy, cheesy pasta is a match made in heaven!
• Seriously high in protein (over 50g per serving!), so it’s a comforting meal that actually keeps you full and satisfied.
• It’s pure comfort food that the whole family will gobble up, no complaints here!

Ingredients for the Ultimate Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

Okay, gathering all your goodies is half the fun, right? For this dish, we’re breaking it down into three main players: the super creamy cheese sauce, the sticky honey BBQ chicken, and of course, the pasta! You’ll want to grab some fat-free cottage cheese and light cream cheese for that amazing richness without all the guilt, plus some reduced-fat cheddar for that classic cheesy pull. Don’t forget your milk, and let’s amp up the flavor with garlic powder, parsley, pepper, paprika, salt, and just a little yellow mustard – it’s my secret for making the sauce pop!

• For the Cheese Sauce:
• 1 cup fat free cottage cheese
• 7 ounces light cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2/3 cup 2 percent milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• For the Chicken:
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/3 cup reduced sugar BBQ sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Cooking spray
• For the Pasta:
• 10 ounces elbow pasta
• 1 teaspoon salt

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

Alright, let’s get this deliciousness cooking! To start, let’s get that chicken seasoned up. Grab your diced chicken breast and toss it with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, a little ground ginger, salt, and pepper. You want everything nicely coated. Next, get your air fryer ready! Just a quick spray with cooking spray, then pop that seasoned chicken in a single layer. Pop it in at 350°F for about 10 to 12 minutes. Give it a shake halfway through so it cooks evenly and gets a nice little golden touch. We’re aiming for fully cooked, no pink in sight!

Once the chicken is cooked, toss those tender pieces into a bowl. Drizzle on the honey and your reduced-sugar BBQ sauce. Give it a good mix until every piece is smiling with that sticky glaze. Now, here’s a little trick: pop that saucy chicken back into the air fryer for just another minute or two. This helps caramelize that sauce and makes it even more irresistible, just like in these crispy chicken tenders!

While the chicken is doing its thing, let’s get the pasta going. Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add your elbow pasta. Cook it just until it’s al dente – you know, that perfect bite. Before you drain it, *do not forget* to scoop out about 1/4 cup of that starchy pasta water. This stuff is liquid gold for making your cheese sauce extra smooth!

Now for the magic! Into your blender, throw the fat-free cottage cheese, light cream cheese, all that shredded cheddar, milk, garlic powder, parsley, black pepper, paprika, salt, and your secret weapon, the yellow mustard. Blend it all up until it’s smooth as silk. Pour that glorious mixture into a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir it constantly, watching it thicken slightly and become wonderfully creamy. If it looks a *tad* too thick, that pasta water you saved is your new best friend – a little splash will loosen it right up.

Add your drained pasta right into that creamy sauce and stir it all together until every single noodle is coated in cheesy goodness. Let it sit for about 5 minutes off the heat; this lets it thicken up just a bit more, getting that perfect mac and cheese consistency. Finally, scoop that dreamy mac and cheese into bowls and top generously with your honey BBQ chicken. A little extra parsley on top makes it look fancy, but it’s totally optional! It’s almost as easy as making these stuffed mushrooms!

Serving Suggestions for Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

This Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is pretty darn perfect on its own, but sometimes you just want a little something extra, right? Here are a few things I love to pair with it!

Crisp Edamame Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette: This salad is a lifesaver! It’s so refreshing and that zesty lime dressing cuts through the creamy mac and cheese beautifully. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some extra greens. You can find a killer recipe for it right here!

Air Fryer Cauliflower Elote: If you love corn off the cob, you’ll adore this! It’s got all those amazing smoky, cheesy, limey flavors of Mexican street corn but with cauliflower, and it’s so easy to make in the air fryer. Check out how to make it here.

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Storing this Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is super easy. Just pop any extra goodness into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep beautifully for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready for more, reheating is a breeze! For the best results, I like to gently warm it in the microwave for about 90 seconds to 2 minutes, stirring halfway through until it’s piping hot and creamy again. If you’re a meal prepper, this stuff is gold! Just portion it out into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches all week long.

Frequently Asked Questions about this Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! This Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe is fantastic for meal prep. You can totally make it a day or two in advance and store it in airtight containers in the fridge. It reheats like a dream, making those busy weeknights so much easier! Check out some other ideas for healthy chicken meal prep bowls!

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

No air fryer? No problem! You can easily cook the seasoned chicken in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Then, toss it with the honey and BBQ sauce and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to get that sticky glaze. You could also bake it on a sheet pan at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes, keeping an eye on it until done. It’ll be just as delicious, kind of like how these crispy ranch chicken tenders are amazing from the air fryer!

How can I make it spicier?

If you’re a fan of a little heat, you can totally amp up the spice! Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the chicken seasoning. You could also stir in a tablespoon or two of your favorite hot sauce into the BBQ sauce mixture for the chicken, or even add a little chopped jalapeño to the cheese sauce itself. For a smoky kick, try a spicier BBQ sauce, like a chipotle or a Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe style sauce!

Before You Go: Enjoy Your Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese!

So there you have it – my go-to Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe! I really hope you give it a whirl. Let me know in the comments how it turns out, or better yet, share your own delicious creations with me on Pinterest @easydetoxrecipes!

Print