Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Macaroni Bake

If you love BBQ chicken and macaroni and cheese, you will love this baked comfort food combination - Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Macaroni Bake. The slow cooker brings together the shredded chicken, tangy BBQ sauce, and other seasonings, and then once it's done cooking, it bakes together with soft shells, melty cheese, and a creamy homemade sauce. 

You will be asking for seconds (like myself) and thirds (like Jace) of this BBQ Chicken Macaroni recipe.

Here's a quick overview of this recipe:

• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Servings: 8 servings
• Family friendly: Yes, we loved it so much we had seconds and thirds
• Total prep time: 15 minutes
• Total cook time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Slow cooker: 2 1/2 hours
Oven: 10 minutes 
• Average family rating: 9/10

Super flavorful, a tad sweet, delicious, and combines two of my favorite dinners together.

What Makes This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Macaroni Bake So Different?

Combining BBQ chicken with macaroni and cheese in itself is quite the combination. My son actually suggested this recipe so I added it to our rotation. I did not know how much we would enjoy it. The sauce is homemade - combining milk, pasta water, and lots of cheese. I think if this recipe was not baked in the oven, it would not be as good. The chicken developed slightly charred edges that added even more flavor.

My first bite had a slightly sweet flavor to it. Even though I used the original barbecue sauce, I think the sweetness came from the pineapple juice, corn syrup, and sugar in the ingredient list. If you do like more of a sweet barbecue sauce, you can also try the honey BBQ sauce from Sweet Baby Ray's. 

What Inspired This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Macaroni Bake?

Jace came up with the idea that he wanted a BBQ chicken macaroni and cheese recipe and I searched for one and came across one from Mason Fit. Although I used this recipe as the main starting point, we did actually do things quite differently. He used a rotisserie chicken while I used chicken breasts and let them shred together with the BBQ sauce in the slow cooker. I added several seasonings that he did not. I doubled the pasta shells (using the whole box) so I doubled the cheese and added a little bit more milk as well. 

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe works because the BBQ chicken layered on top of the cheesy and melty macaroni and cheese, allows you to get a bite of both in every spoonful. There are so many flavors - smokiness from the paprika, cheesy from all the cheese, sweet and savory from the BBQ sauce, and it all comes together to make a delicious and filling meal. 

What I Would Do Differently Next Time

Jace actually asked me this question at the dinner table - what I would do next time to make it even better and here is my response. I think I would half the pasta shells so I could taste more of the cheese and less pasta. I would add maybe a heavier whipping cream instead of milk to make it creamier and thicker - that way I wouldn't have to add as much cheese. I do think a heavy whipping cream would have given the homemade sauce an actual creamy texture instead of a liquid texture. I also would add bacon on top - I know, lots of meat - but I do think it would be really good!

FAQ

Do I have to slow cook the chicken?
You don't have to. I only did that because I wanted all of the flavors and seasonings to come together. You can boil the chicken or purchase a rotisserie chicken or pre-made shredded chicken. 

Can I use any cheese?
Yes. Of course changing the cheese can affect the flavor but you can switch out to a four-cheese, mozzarella cheese, or parmesan cheese, or a combination of all. 

Can I add more seasonings?
Yes. I used four seasonings - black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder - you can adjust and make it your own. 

What type of oven do you have?
I use the Cuisinart toaster oven so I do have to keep an eye on what I put in there as it tends to cook faster than a traditional oven.

Do I have to bake the pasta?
You don't have to but baking the pasta does bring everything together. You top the macaroni with the chicken and then add more shredded cheese so it all melts together. 

Who Will Love This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Macaroni Bake?
My 15-year-old and my 40-year-old self loved it. Anyone who enjoys macaroni and cheese and BBQ chicken will enjoy this! 

If You Enjoy Macaroni and Cheese Recipes, You May Like

• White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese Cups - these white cheddar macaroni and cheese cups are a crispy, baked twist on classic mac and cheese.
• Three-Cheese Air Fryer Macaroni and Cheese - cheesy, crispy, browned, creamy, soft on the inside, crispy on top, and delicious enough for seconds.
• Creamy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese - an easy comfort food recipe that is ooey gooey, cheesy, juicy, tender, and flavorful. 
• Protein-packed Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with Cottage Cheese - packed with protein, rich and creamy, and with a surprising twist that’ll have you reaching for seconds!
• Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken & Crispy Breadcrumbs - made on the stove with a layer of broiled breadcrumbs on top. 

Ingredients For Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Macaroni Bake

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• 2 large boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
• *1 cup Sweet Baby Ray's Original Barbecue Sauce (if you want a sweet bbq sauce, you can also order the Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Barbecue Sauce HERE)
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 16 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup pasta water
• *16 oz macaroni shells (I used Target's brand, but here is one from Amazon)
• 1 1/2 cups milk

Note: If you are not crammed for time, you can cook the chicken on low in the slow cooker for 6-7 hours instead of on high for 2 1/2. 

How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Macaroni Bake

✓ Step #1: Add ingredients to a slow cooker - In a slow cooker add chicken, barbecue sauce, paprika, pepper and powders. Cook on high for 2 1/2 hours. 

✓ Step #2: Cook the pasta - On the stove, boil water in a pot and add the macaroni shells. Boil for 8 minutes. Reserve one cup of pasta water and strain the rest. 

✓ Step #3: Add pasta back to pot - Add the pasta back to the pot. Add in the 1 1/2 cups milk, shredded cheese, and reserved pasta water. Stir on low until a homemade cheese sauce is formed.

✓ Step #4: Add to a baking pan - Spray a baking pan with cooking spray and add macaroni and cheese. Top with BBQ chicken and more shredded cheese. 

✓ Step #5: Bake - Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until cheese has melted. The cheese should be melted and bubbly while the BBQ chicken develops slightly crisp edges on top.

✓ Step #6: Serve - Serve immediately, top with dried parsley and enjoy!

How to Store and Reheat

Store pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 2 minutes or until warm.

About the Author

Abbie Guerrero is the creator of Savvy with Abbie and has been blogging since 2009. She has developed over 800 original recipes and shares thoughtful book reviews and personal reflections. Writing has been a lifelong passion and a meaningful form of self-expression.
Recipe and photos by Abbie Guerrero. All photos are original.

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