Description

A delightful bowl combining creamy mac and cheese, smoky BBQ chicken, sweet corn, and tangy coleslaw. This dish balances rich, savory, sweet, and crunchy textures, making it a perfect comfort meal with a fresh twist.

Ingredients

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Mac and Cheese

2 cups macaroni pasta
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste

BBQ Chicken

2 cups shredded or cubed rotisserie chicken
1/2 cup BBQ sauce

Vegetables

1 cup sweet corn (fresh, frozen, or charred)

Coleslaw

2 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Toppings

Fried onions or jalapeño chips for crunch
Extra BBQ sauce or ranch dressing
Pickled jalapeños or hot sauce for heat

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Instructions

Cook the macaroni: Boil macaroni pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente, then drain.
Prepare the cheese sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, whisk in flour to form a roux, cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Make the mac and cheese: Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce until well coated. Keep warm.
Prepare BBQ chicken: Toss shredded or cubed rotisserie chicken with BBQ sauce until fully coated.
Prepare the coleslaw: In a mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill until ready to serve.
Heat the corn: If using frozen corn, cook until hot. For extra flavor, char fresh corn kernels slightly in a skillet or on the grill.
Assemble the bowl: Start with a generous scoop of mac and cheese as the base. Layer BBQ chicken on top, then add sweet corn. Finish with a heap of creamy coleslaw on top to provide a contrasting cold crunch.
Add optional toppings and sauces: For extra texture, sprinkle fried onions or jalapeño chips. Drizzle additional BBQ sauce or ranch dressing if desired. Add pickled jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy kick.

Notes

Using rotisserie chicken saves time on cooking the protein.
Charring the corn enhances the smoky flavor to complement the BBQ chicken.
Layering ingredients helps maintain texture contrasts versus mixing everything together.
Adjust spice and sauce levels according to preference.
Fried onions add delightful crunch and flavor, but can be omitted for a lighter option.