One of our family’s favorite comfort meals is barbecue chicken with a side of homemade macaroni and cheese. So I thought, why not combine the two into one glorious, cheesy casserole dish? It’s so hearty and filling. We love to dig into this at the end of the long work day. Bonus points if there’s a crisp chill in the air and we can eat it under a cozy blanket on the couch.
BBQ Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Let’s start with the chicken first. This recipe is meant to be easy and no stress, so do yourself a favor and pick up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store. You can use it for all kinds of things, and it shreds up perfectly for this recipe. Or if you have some frozen chicken breasts at home, simply boil them and shred with a fork. You can also cook chicken in your instant pot or slow cooker. Easy peasy! Next, grab a bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce or whip up my delicious homemade barbecue sauce and stir into your shredded chicken. Then set it aside while you make the rest of the mac and cheese.
How to Make a Good Roux
The trick to making a good macaroni and cheese is to make sure that you make a good roux to start the sauce.
Breadcrumb Topping
The breadcrumb topping is super easy to make and adds such terrific texture to this recipe. Just melt some butter and stir into your breadcrumbs and spread over the top of the whole casserole. As it bakes it gives the dish a deliciously crunchy crust. Yum!
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
This dish is wonderful all on its own, or you can serve it with a simple green salad or any side vegetable. Try my Apple Pecan Fall Salad or my crispy Kale Salad for a delicious and well-rounded meal any night of the week!
