Go Back
High Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese dish garnished with herbs

High Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese

A delicious combination of classic mac and cheese with high protein ingredients, perfect for busy schedules and nutritious meals.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 8 oz high protein pasta Chickpea or lentil pasta recommended.
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast Pounded to an even thickness.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup honey BBQ sauce Store-bought or homemade.
  • 1 tbsp olive oil Enhances flavors of the chicken.
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk Keeps the sauce creamy.
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt Full-fat recommended.
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese Best when freshly shredded.
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Adds depth to the flavor.
  • 1 scoop unflavored or vanilla protein powder Provides 25-30g protein per scoop.
Seasonings
  • 1 tsp garlic powder Enhances flavor.
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder Works well with garlic.
  • to taste salt and pepper Essential for seasoning.
Garnish
  • to taste fresh cilantro Optional, for garnish.

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Cook the high protein pasta according to package directions until al dente, usually 7-9 minutes.
  2. Drain thoroughly and set aside. Slightly undercook by one minute.
Cooking Chicken
  1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through.
  4. Transfer chicken to a cutting board, let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Return chicken to skillet with BBQ sauce, toss to coat evenly, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Making Cheese Sauce
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, whisk together almond milk and Greek yogurt.
  2. Gradually add protein powder while whisking to prevent clumping.
  3. Add cheddar cheese, Parmesan, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  4. Whisk continuously for 3-4 minutes until cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth.
  5. Adjust consistency by adding more milk if too thick.
Combining and Serving
  1. Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until coated.
  2. Gently fold in BBQ chicken pieces.
  3. Remove from heat and serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and additional BBQ sauce if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Can also be frozen for up to 3 months.