Crockpot Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese

Name: Crockpot Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 195 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 18 oz bottle BBQ sauce; 1/4 cup honey; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp garlic salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp Dano's Sweet Caribbean Seasoning; 8 oz cream cheese, cubed; 1 lb medium shells or elbow macaroni, cooked; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup milk

Honey BBQ chicken and mac and cheese together in the crockpot is exactly the kind of sweet, smoky, creamy dinner that feels built for comfort food cravings.

The chicken slow cooks in BBQ sauce, honey, garlic seasonings, Dano’s Sweet Caribbean Seasoning, and cream cheese until it becomes tender enough to shred right into the sauce. The honey adds sweetness, the BBQ sauce brings smoky flavor, and the cream cheese melts into everything to make the sauce rich and smooth.

Once the cooked pasta, cheddar, mozzarella, and milk go in, the whole crockpot turns into a creamy mac and cheese packed with shredded BBQ chicken. The shells or elbow macaroni soak up that sweet and savory sauce while the cheese melts into every bite.

Big scoops of this pasta are perfect when you want something filling, cheesy, and a little different from regular mac and cheese. It has that backyard BBQ flavor mixed with a creamy pasta dinner, and it comes together with barely any effort.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet and smoky BBQ chicken mixed into creamy mac and cheese.
Easy crockpot dinner with simple ingredients.
Cream cheese makes the sauce rich and smooth.
Cheddar and mozzarella create the perfect cheesy finish.
Great comfort food meal for family dinners, potlucks, or game day.

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Ingredients

This recipe combines chicken breasts, BBQ sauce, honey, Dano’s Sweet Caribbean Seasoning, cream cheese, cooked pasta, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and milk into a creamy slow cooker mac and cheese. The chicken cooks first in the sweet and smoky sauce until it is tender enough to shred.

The cooked pasta and cheeses are added at the end so the noodles stay soft without turning mushy. As the cheddar and mozzarella melt, the sauce becomes creamy, cheesy, and packed with honey BBQ chicken flavor.

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle (18 oz) BBQ sauce
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp Dano's Sweet Caribbean Seasoning
8 oz cream cheese, cubed
1 lb medium shells or elbow macaroni, cooked
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup milk

How To Make Crockpot Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese

Step 1: Add Chicken

Add the chicken breasts to your crockpot.

Step 2: Season Chicken

Season with the garlic powder, onion powder, garlic salt, black pepper, and Dano's Sweet Caribbean Seasoning.

Step 3: Add BBQ Sauce, Honey, and Cream Cheese

Pour the BBQ sauce and honey over the chicken, then add the cream cheese.

Step 4: Cook

Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours.

Step 5: Shred Chicken

Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot and stir until the cream cheese is fully incorporated into the sauce.

Step 6: Add Pasta, Cheese, and Milk

Add the cooked pasta, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and milk.

Step 7: Mix Together

Mix until everything is well combined.

Step 8: Melt and Heat Through

Cover for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and creamy.

Step 9: Serve

Stir well and serve warm.

Recipe Variations

Crispy bacon can be stirred in or sprinkled on top before serving for a smoky BBQ bacon mac and cheese version. The bacon adds crunch and pairs perfectly with the honey BBQ sauce.
Pepper jack cheese can replace the mozzarella if you want a little heat. It melts well and balances the sweetness from the BBQ sauce and honey.
A spicy BBQ sauce can be used for a sweet heat version of this recipe. The cream cheese and milk help mellow the spice while keeping the pasta creamy.
Diced jalapeños or pickled jalapeños can be added at the end for extra flavor. They add a tangy bite that cuts through the richness of the cheese sauce.
A drizzle of extra BBQ sauce over the top before serving gives the pasta a stronger barbecue flavor. Add it after the cheese melts so it stays bold and glossy.

Tips for Success

Cook the pasta separately so it does not get mushy in the crockpot.
Cube the cream cheese so it melts into the BBQ sauce faster and more evenly.
Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot so it stays coated in the honey BBQ sauce.
Use freshly shredded cheddar and mozzarella for the smoothest melted texture.
Add the milk slowly if you want to control how creamy or thick the pasta gets.
Let the mac and cheese sit for a few minutes before serving so the sauce thickens around the noodles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, medium shells and elbow macaroni both work great, but you can also use rotini, penne, cavatappi, or bowtie pasta. Short pasta shapes work best because they hold onto the creamy honey BBQ sauce and mix well with the shredded chicken. Cook the pasta separately before adding it to the crockpot for the best texture.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely. Boneless skinless chicken thighs work really well in this recipe and usually stay extra juicy during slow cooking. They shred easily into the BBQ cream cheese sauce and add a slightly richer flavor to the finished mac and cheese.

What kind of BBQ sauce should I use?

Use any BBQ sauce you like since it will be one of the main flavors in the recipe. A sweet BBQ sauce will make the pasta sweeter, while a smoky or spicy BBQ sauce will give it a bolder flavor. The honey adds extra sweetness, so choose a sauce that fits the flavor you want.

How do I keep the mac and cheese creamy?

The key is adding the cooked pasta, cheeses, and milk near the end instead of letting them cook for hours. Pasta keeps absorbing sauce as it sits, so if the dish thickens too much, stir in a splash of milk before serving or reheating. Covering it for just 10–15 minutes is enough to melt everything together without drying it out.

How should I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The sauce will thicken as the pasta sits, so add a little milk when reheating to bring back the creamy texture. Warm it gently in the microwave or on the stovetop and stir well before serving.

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Crockpot Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese

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A creamy crockpot mac and cheese made with tender shredded honey BBQ chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, milk, and cooked pasta.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3 15

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 18 oz bottle BBQ sauce
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp Dano's Sweet Caribbean Seasoning
8 oz cream cheese, cubed
1 lb medium shells or elbow macaroni, cooked
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup milk

Method

Add the chicken breasts to your crockpot.
Season with garlic powder, onion powder, garlic salt, black pepper, and Dano's Sweet Caribbean Seasoning.
Pour the BBQ sauce and honey over the chicken, then add the cream cheese.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot and stir until the cream cheese is fully incorporated into the sauce.
Add the cooked pasta, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and milk.
Mix until everything is well combined.
Cover for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and creamy.
Stir well and serve warm.

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Hey, I'm Scotty

What started as just messing around in the kitchen and posting recipes online quickly turned into something way bigger than I ever expected. At first, it was just a side hustle—sharing simple, easy meals that anyone could make without overthinking it.