This Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese blends savory comfort with balanced nutrition, delivering rich flavor and high protein in every creamy, barbecue-glazed bite.
With 642.4 calories and 58.4g of protein per serving, it’s perfect for family dinners, entertaining guests, or prepping wholesome meals for the week ahead.
Star Ingredients in This Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
Chicken breast – Lean and protein-rich, it forms the hearty foundation for the smoky BBQ topping.
Honey – Brings a touch of natural sweetness that balances the savory barbecue flavor.
Reduced BBQ sauce – Adds tang, depth, and a caramelized glaze when cooked with the chicken.
Cottage cheese – Blended into the sauce for a creamy texture with added protein.
Light cream cheese – Ensures the cheese sauce is rich without being overly heavy.
Reduced fat cheddar – Melts smoothly and adds that classic, sharp cheddar flavor.
Semi-skimmed milk – Helps blend and smooth the cheese sauce without excess fat.
Pasta – The ultimate comfort food base, perfect for soaking up the creamy cheese sauce.
How to Make This Recipe
This dish comes together in four key steps air fry or pan-cook the chicken, boil the pasta, blend and heat the creamy cheese sauce, then combine everything for a perfectly melty finish.
Tips to Enhance Your Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
For more flavor, marinate the chicken with BBQ seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking.
If you prefer spicier flavors, add hot sauce or cayenne to the BBQ mixture.
Stirring in steamed broccoli or spinach boosts nutrients and adds texture.
How to Store Leftover
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, add a splash of milk and warm gently over low heat or in the microwave.
This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, simply reheat it with the BBQ sauce and honey to absorb the flavors.
Is there a way to make it dairy-free?
Use plant-based cheese, non-dairy milk, and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the sauce.
What pasta shape works best?
Short, ridged pasta like elbows, shells, or rotini hold the sauce beautifully.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble everything, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat before serving, adding milk if needed to loosen the sauce.
Honey BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 150 ml semi-skimmed 2% milk
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 150 g 30% reduced fat cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp paprika
- 150 g fat-free cottage cheese
- 1 tsp parsley
- 200 g light cream cheese
For the Chicken:
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 400 g chicken breasts diced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 70 g reduced BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Low-calorie cooking spray
For the Pasta:
- 1 tsp salt
- 300 g pasta
Instructions
- Begin with the BBQ Chicken. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) or alternatively, heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Toss diced chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mist lightly with low-calorie cooking spray. If using the air fryer, cook the chicken for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and fully cooked. For the pan method, sauté the chicken for 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a bowl and mix in honey and BBQ sauce, stirring until each piece is well-coated. Return the chicken to the heat for 1–2 minutes to let the sauce caramelize slightly.
- For the pasta, boil a large pot of salted water and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
- To prepare the cheese sauce, place the cottage cheese, light cream cheese, cheddar, milk, garlic powder, parsley, black pepper, paprika, salt, and mustard into a blender. Blend until velvety. Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If thick, incorporate a splash of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is achieved. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until smooth.
- Once the sauce is ready, fold in the drained pasta and stir until thoroughly coated. Adjust the texture with additional pasta water if necessary. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes to develop depth of flavor.
- Distribute the cheesy pasta into serving bowls, topping each portion generously with the glazed Honey BBQ Chicken. Garnish with parsley if desired.