High Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese

Name: High Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 175g Diced Chicken Breast, raw weight; 1/4 tsp Salt; 1/4 tsp Onion Powder; 1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder; 1/4 tsp Olive Oil; 6g Honey; 21g Reduced Sugar BBQ Sauce, Hughes Sugar Free BBQ Sauce or your choice of BBQ Sauce; 80g Macaroni Pasta, uncooked weight; 85ml Fat-Free Evaporated Milk, Carnation Light & Creamy 99% Fat Free Evaporated Milk; 20g Light Cream Cheese; 0.4 tsp Chicken Stock Powder; 25g Light Cheddar Cheese, Dairyworks Natural Cheddar, grated

This high-protein honey BBQ chicken mac and cheese pairs tender, seasoned chicken with a sweet smoky glaze and a creamy, cheesy pasta. It’s a hearty meal-prep style dish that feels indulgent while still being simple enough for a weeknight dinner.

This high-protein honey BBQ chicken mac and cheese pairs tender, seasoned chicken with a sweet smoky glaze and a creamy, cheesy pa... Show more

By Aussie Fitness · Original recipe

Health Grade

C · Balanced

Time

30 min

Price

1,51 €

Calories

787 kcal

high protein

low sugar

macro-friendly

comfort food

Method

Boil the pasta water

Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of Salt, and bring it to a full boil over high heat. You want enough water for the pasta to move freely so it cooks evenly and does not clump together.

Dice the chicken

Trim and cut the Diced Chicken Breast (raw weight) into even bite-sized pieces if it is not already diced. Try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook through at the same time.

Season the chicken

Place the chicken in a bowl and add Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, and Garlic Powder. Drizzle over the Olive Oil, then toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.

Cook the macaroni

Add the Macaroni Pasta (uncooked weight) to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Stir once or twice during cooking so it does not stick, and keep an eye on it because the pasta will cook a little more when it is mixed into the hot cheese sauce.

Heat the pan

Set a large frying pan over medium-high heat and let it get properly hot before the chicken goes in. A hot pan helps the outside brown quickly instead of steaming.

Pan-fry the chicken

Add the seasoned chicken to the hot pan in a single layer. Cook for about 4 minutes, then turn the pieces and cook for about 4 minutes more, until the chicken is browned on the outside and cooked through in the center. If the pan looks crowded, give the chicken a little space so it fries rather than steams.

Make the cheese sauce

While the chicken finishes, place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the Fat Free Evaporated Milk (Carnation Light & Creamy 99% Fat Free Evaporated Milk), Light Cream Cheese, Chicken Stock Powder, and Light Cheddar Cheese (Dairyworks Natural Cheddar, grated). Stir continuously until the cream cheese softens and the cheddar melts completely into a smooth, creamy sauce with no lumps.

Drain the pasta

Drain the cooked macaroni well and shake off any excess water so the sauce stays creamy instead of watery.

Sauce the chicken

Take the frying pan off the heat, then add the Honey and Reduced Sugar BBQ Sauce (Hughes Sugar Free BBQ Sauce or your choice of BBQ Sauce). Toss the hot chicken until every piece is coated in a glossy, sticky honey BBQ layer.

Combine and serve

Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until every piece is evenly coated. Divide the mac and cheese between 4 bowls or containers, then spoon the honey BBQ chicken over the top of each portion. Serve while hot and creamy.