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Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese

Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese: A Protein-Packed Delight

This Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese delivers a smoky-sweet flavor fusion with a protein-packed punch that is sure to please everyone.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cheese Sauce
  • 1 cup Fat-Free Cottage Cheese Substitute with Greek yogurt for a similarly smooth texture.
  • 4 oz Light Cream Cheese Opt for reduced-fat if preferred.
  • 1 cup Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese Feel free to use any favorite melting cheese.
  • 1 cup Semi-Skimmed Milk (2%) Almond milk makes a great dairy-free alternative.
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder Fresh minced garlic adds an extra punch.
  • 1 tsp Paprika Smoked paprika can be used for more flavor.
  • 1 tsp Salt Using Kosher salt allows for controlled seasoning.
  • 1 tbsp Mustard Dijon mustard is an excellent substitute.
For the Chicken
  • 1 lb Diced Chicken Breasts (or Turkey) Replace with grilled tofu for vegetarian.
  • 2 tbsp Honey Maple syrup is a vegan substitute.
  • 1 tsp Ground Ginger Fresh ginger can intensify flavor.
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder Sautéed fresh onion adds depth.
  • 1/2 cup Reduced BBQ Sauce Look for low-sodium varieties.
For the Pasta
  • 2 cups Pasta (Elbow Macaroni) Substitute with any pasta type you enjoy.
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper White pepper provides a milder choice.
  • as needed Low-Calorie Cooking Spray Olive oil is a healthier alternative.
For Garnishing
  • 2 tbsp Parsley Chives work beautifully as an alternative.

Equipment

  • blender
  • Saucepan
  • skillet
  • large pot
  • Air fryer

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Prepare the BBQ Chicken: Season diced chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper. Cook at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or sauté for 6-8 minutes until cooked through. Coat with honey and reduced BBQ sauce, allowing it to caramelize slightly.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring salted water to a boil, add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  3. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a blender, combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, milk, garlic powder, paprika, and mustard. Blend until smooth. Heat in a saucepan for 5-7 minutes, stirring until thickened, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
  4. Combine and Serve: In a mixing bowl, combine the pasta with the cheese sauce, fold in the honey BBQ chicken, and let sit for 10 minutes. Serve garnished with parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 35gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Customize by adding fresh greens or different cheeses. Store cheese sauce and chicken separately from pasta for meal prep.

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