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High Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese

A creamy, indulgent mac and cheese packed with protein using a secret cottage cheese blend, topped with sticky honey BBQ chicken and crispy bacon.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Fusion
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1 lb chicken breast boneless skinless, cubed
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
Mac & Cheese Base
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni or protein pasta
  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
  • 0.5 cup milk skim or almond
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 3 slices bacon cooked and crumbled

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Skillet
  • Blender
  • Saucepan

Method
 

  1. Boil macaroni in salted water according to package directions. Drain.
  2. Season cubed chicken with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Sear chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat until cooked through (approx 7 mins).
  4. Reduce heat, add BBQ sauce and honey to chicken, stir to glaze, and remove from heat.
  5. Blend cottage cheese, milk, and onion powder until completely smooth.
  6. Pour blended sauce into a pan over medium heat, stir in cheddar until melted and smooth.
  7. Toss cooked pasta with the cheese sauce.
  8. Serve pasta topped with BBQ chicken, bacon bits, and parsley.

Notes

Use protein pasta to increase the protein content even further.