High-Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese Recipe
A comforting and protein-packed twist on classic mac and cheese, featuring tender shredded chicken tossed in a sweet and tangy sugar-free honey BBQ sauce, all combined with creamy light cheddar and cream cheese sauce over high-protein elbow macaroni.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 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)
Creamy Cheese 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 large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta 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 are fully melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring the sauce does not boil.
- Add the Chicken: In a separate bowl, toss the shredded cooked chicken with sugar-free BBQ sauce and honey until well-coated. Fold the chicken mixture into the cheese sauce in the saucepan and stir thoroughly to combine.
- Combine: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese and chicken sauce mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until all pasta pieces are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Serve: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve immediately warm or portion into containers for convenient meal prep.
Notes
- Using sugar-free BBQ sauce and fat-free evaporated milk keeps this recipe lower in sugar and fat while maintaining flavor.
- Substitute high-protein pasta to increase protein content further if desired.
- Cook chicken breasts ahead of time by poaching or baking for easy shredding.
- For a thicker sauce, reduce the evaporated milk slightly before adding cheese.
- This dish can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen the sauce.
Keywords: high-protein, BBQ chicken, mac and cheese, healthy comfort food, low fat, easy dinner