BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese Meal Prep | Perfect For Bulking | High Protein

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: American cheese

Reduced-fat cheddar lowers calories while maintaining flavor.

BBQ sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade BBQ sauce

💰Cheaper: ketchup + vinegar

Homemade BBQ sauce can be healthier and more customizable.

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella lowers fat content.

Place a large pot of water on the stove over high heat and let it come to a boil.

Slice 1.2 kilos of boneless and skinless chicken thigh lengthways into strips, then dice into small to medium pieces.

Grate 140 G of cheddar cheese on the largest side of a box grater.

Chop 2 G of flat leaf parsley roughly, ensuring no large leaves or stems remain.

Add the chicken to a large mixing bowl and season with 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 0.5 teaspoon chili flakes, 2 teaspoons olive oil, salt, and 20 cracks black pepper. Mix with clean hands until evenly combined.

Once the water is boiling, season it with salt and add 400 G of macaroni. Cook for 1 minute less than the packet instructions.

Heat a large pan over high heat and add 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken, spreading it out to avoid overcrowding. Let it sit for 2 minutes to form a crust, then stir occasionally for about 4.5 minutes until cooked through.

Add 125 mL of barbecue sauce to the chicken and cook for 1 minute to glaze the chicken. Remove from the pan.

In the same pan, add 400 mL of reduced fat cream or milk, 100 G of lowfat cream cheese, and the grated cheddar cheese. Season with salt and 15 cracks black pepper. Mix until the cream cheese breaks down and cheeses melt, simmering for 2-3 minutes until thickened.

Add the drained and cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix until completely coated. If desired, mix in the barbecue chicken and heat for an additional 30 seconds.

Portion into containers, garnishing with Parmesan cheese, flat leaf parsley, and cracked black pepper. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes before sealing containers.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens