Mac and Cheese BBQ Chicken (Printable Version)

Smoky BBQ chicken, creamy mac and cheese, gooey cheeses on crisp crust create a fusion comfort feast.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pizza Dough

01 - 1 pound store-bought or homemade pizza dough

→ Mac and Cheese

02 - 1 cup elbow macaroni
03 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
04 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
05 - 1 cup whole milk
06 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ BBQ Chicken

08 - 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded
09 - 1/3 cup BBQ sauce, plus extra for drizzling

→ Toppings

10 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 475°F and position a pizza stone inside if using.
02 - Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 6 to 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, cook for 1 minute, then gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth and thick, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper. Gently fold in cooked macaroni and set aside.
05 - In a bowl, toss shredded chicken with BBQ sauce until evenly coated.
06 - On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll dough into a 12-inch round. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or hot pizza stone.
07 - Spread prepared mac and cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border along the edges.
08 - Scatter BBQ chicken over mac and cheese. Sprinkle mozzarella on top and distribute red onion slices evenly.
09 - Place pizza in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.
10 - Remove pizza from oven. Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce and sprinkle with cilantro, if desired. Slice and serve hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Easy enough for a weekend treat yet so impressive for gatherings
  • Perfect use for leftover or rotisserie chicken
  • Every bite is creamy and cheesy with pops of smoky sweetness
  • Customizable with different cheeses or an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce
02 -
  • Naturally high in protein and satisfying enough for a main meal
  • Leftovers taste just as good reheated making it a fun lunch box treat
  • You can prep all components ahead of time for party night
03 -
  • Always use cheese you shred yourself for the creamiest melt
  • Let your dough warm up before stretching so it is pliable
  • Press any air bubbles out of the crust to help it bake evenly
  • For parties make two pizzas and try different cheeses or add a sprinkle of smoked paprika over the top at the end

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