Honey Bbq Mac n Cheese

Ingredients

• 24 oz large elbow macaroni
• 4 oz unsalted butter (for cheese sauce)
• 1 tsp chili powder (for cheese sauce)
• 1 tsp paprika (for cheese sauce)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (for cheese sauce)
• 12 oz evaporated milk
• 8 oz heavy cream
• 8 oz milk
• 8 oz pepper colby jack (for cheese sauce)
• 8 oz gouda
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (for cheese sauce, adjust based on thickness)
• to taste salt
• 8 oz pepper colby jack (for layering)
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (for layering)
• 2 lbs chicken thighs (cubed)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp hot sauce (for chicken marinade)
• 1 tsp garlic, chili, paprika powder (for chicken marinade)
• 1.5 cup flour
• 1 cup panko
• 1 tsp garlic, chili, paprika powder (for coating)
• 0.5 cup ketchup (for bbq sauce)
• 0.25 cup brown sugar (for bbq sauce)
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (for bbq sauce)
• 1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce (for bbq sauce)
• 2 Tbsp hot sauce (for bbq sauce)
• 0.25 Tbsp honey (for bbq sauce)
• 3 Tbsp cold butter (cut into small cubes)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the chicken: Marinate cubed thighs in buttermilk, hot sauce, and seasonings, then coat in flour/panko mixture and fry until crispy.

2. 2

   Make the bbq sauce: Combine ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, worcestershire, hot sauce, honey, and cold butter in a pan and simmer.

3. 3

   Cook the macaroni pasta.

4. 4

   Create the cheese sauce: Melt butter with spices, add evaporated milk, heavy cream, milk, and cheeses until smooth.

5. 5

   Assemble by layering the pasta, cheese sauce, and additional shredded cheese in a baking dish, topping with the honey bbq chicken.

Notes

Adjust sharp cheddar amount in cheese sauce based on desired thickness.

Nutrition per serving

• mac and cheese
• comfort food
• chicken
• bbq