High-Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese
A nutritious twist on classic mac and cheese, combining creamy cheese, tender shredded chicken, and sweet honey BBQ sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: High Protein
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lbs chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- ½ cup sugar-free BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (or high-protein pasta)
- 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: chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large saucepan over low heat, combine evaporated milk, cheddar, and cream cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add the Chicken: Toss shredded chicken with BBQ sauce and honey. Fold into the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta to the pan and mix everything together until fully coated.
- Serve: Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with green onions if desired. Serve warm or portion into containers for meal prep.
Notes
This dish can be paired with a fresh garden salad or roasted veggies for a balanced meal. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 80mg