Baked BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Name: Baked BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup feta cheese; 1 lb elbow macaroni; 1.5 cups smoked gouda cheese; 1.5 cups cheddar cheese; 1 medium red onion; 4.5 cups milk; 1/2 cup BBQ sauce; 1 tsp smoked paprika; salt, to taste; 3 cloves garlic; 2 cups cooked shredded chicken; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro

This baked BBQ chicken mac and cheese combines creamy three-cheese sauce with tender shredded chicken and tangy BBQ flavoring in a single-pan dish. The blend of feta, smoked gouda, and cheddar creates depth while smoked paprika and caramelized red onion add savory complexity.

🌍American 🏷️Baked mac and cheese 🏷️Bbq chicken 🏷️Mac and cheese 🏷️Casserole One-pan

🏷️

🏷️Comfort food

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TikTok

Total

1h 10m

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

1 cup feta cheese
1 lb elbow macaroni
1.5 cups smoked gouda cheese
1.5 cups cheddar cheese
1 medium red onion
4.5 cups milk
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
salt, to taste
3 cloves garlic
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1/4 cup fresh cilantrooptional

12 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a block of feta cheese in the center of a large baking dish.
2
Pour the uncooked macaroni around the feta. Top with about 1 cup each of the shredded smoked gouda and cheddar cheese, reserving the rest for later.
3
Add the sliced red onion, minced garlic, and pour the milk over everything.
4
Drizzle with BBQ sauce and sprinkle with smoked paprika and salt.
5
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
6
Carefully remove the dish from the oven, uncover, and stir everything together until the melted feta is well combined into a creamy sauce.
7
Add the cooked shredded chicken and stir to incorporate.
8
Top the mixture with the remaining shredded smoked gouda and cheddar cheese.
9
Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
10
Remove from the oven, let it rest for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Caramelize the red onion over medium heat for 6–8 minutes before adding to the sauce to develop sweet, savory depth that complements BBQ flavoring.
Shred chicken finely so it distributes evenly throughout the pasta and creates a unified texture in each bite.
Stir the cheese sauce off-heat before transferring to the baking dish to prevent over-melting and separation in the oven.
Top the dish with extra smoked gouda shreds in the last 2 minutes of baking for a crispy, golden crust.

Substitutions

Smoked gouda → gruyère or smoked cheddar (maintains smoky depth)
Feta → ricotta or cream cheese (creates slightly milder, tangier sauce)
BBQ sauce → hot sauce or buffalo sauce (shifts flavor profile; start with 1/4 cup)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat covered at 350°F for 15–20 minutes until warmed through, or microwave individual portions at 50% power.