Ultimate BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: Smoky Comfort Food Perfection | Flirt Recipes

Ingredients

• For Mac and Cheese Base:
• 1 lb elbow macaroni pasta
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• For BBQ Chicken:
• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup barbecue sauce, divided
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For Topping:
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• For Flavor Variations:
• 1/2 cup bacon bits (bacon version)
• 1 cup pulled pork (pulled pork version)
• 1/2 cup jalapeños, diced (spicy version)
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (loaded version)
• For Serving Presentation:
• Fresh chives, chopped
• Green onions, sliced
• Extra barbecue sauce
• Hot sauce
• For Garnish & Extras:
• Additional shredded cheese
• Crispy onions
• Fresh herbs
• Barbecue sauce drizzle
• Sour cream dollop
• Pickled jalapeños
• Cornbread croutons
• Smoked paprika dust
• Rustic serving bowls