This One Pot BBQ Chicken Chili Mac is the perfect meal in one! It’s loaded with protein, fiber, veggies and made in one skillet in 30 minutes! An easy, healthy weeknight meal.
First, I feel like I need to apologize.
I did kind of drop the ball on these 30 Minute Thursdays at the end of 2016, what with me being buried under holiday cookies, cakes and cheesecakes and all, but I am back, and I’m hoping to stick with it!
Because who doesn’t love a 30 minute meal?
I love these 30 Minute Thursdays because it forces me to get creative and adds yet another easy, healthy meal to my repertoire — something our family needs plenty of!
I was really stuck this month though. Maybe because my brain is still all holiday cookies. Maybe because I took quite a bit of time off of recipe development and the creative juices just aren’t flowing yet.
So I thought back to some of my favorite meals here on The Recipe Rebel and thought to myself, “which of these is a little underappreciated and would make a really great skillet meal?”
This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Mac.
It is one of our all-time favorite recipes here on the blog, but I think I’m the only one that makes it! I figured it was time to bring it back to life in a quick, simple one pot meal kind of way. And I’m not mad about it!
I love meals like this because it’s so easy to load them up with veggies. I like to add shredded carrots or zucchini, and chopped peppers, spinach, or kale, to dishes like this with a ton of flavor because if there’s someone in your family who isn’t a fan of their veggies (*raises hand sheepishly*), the chili flavors mask them easily.
You’re still getting all of the benefits of eating your vegetables without really realizing that you are — perfect for those picky eaters!
NUTRITION
And because it’s January, I’ve calculated the calories for you on this one! Keep in mind, there are a lot of factors that play into a calorie count, like the different brands or types of products you might use — there are a whole slew of them! So use the nutrition information as a guide only. That being said, 500 calories and 44 grams of protein is pretty good if you ask me! You are getting a lot of bang for your buck here, with a ton of fiber from the beans and pasta and a ton of protein from the beans, chicken, pasta and cheese. Not bad for January! 😉 (See nutrition information on the recipe itself)
You might also like these One Pot Meals:
- Healthier One Pot Skillet Lasagna
- One Pan Teriyaki Chicken and Noodles
- One Pot Caprese Chicken and Rice
One Pot BBQ Chicken Chili Mac
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 3 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1/2" pieces)
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- ½ small onion (finely diced)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes with juice (28 oz or 798 ml)
- 1 can black or kidney beans, drained and rinsed (19oz or 590 ml)
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 ½ cups uncooked macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and sprinkle with seasoning salt. Stir and cook just until white on the outside.
- Add the pepper and onion. Cook and stir until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add chili powder and garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in the beans, tomatoes, broth, barbecue sauce, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Stir in macaroni.
- Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring often, until macaroni is al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Stir in cheese.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve.
Notes
Ingredients and Substitutions:
Chicken: we use boneless, skinless chicken breasts because we usually have them in the freezer. If you prefer dark meat, you can sub for boneless, skinless chicken thighs (use about twice as many). You can also sub for pre-cooked shredded chicken, or leftover slow cooker chicken breast that has been chopped (simply stir it in after the vegetables are sautéed). Vegetables: I use vegetables that our family enjoys, but this is a great clean out the fridge recipe! Try adding mushrooms, shredded carrots or zucchini, or frozen vegetables if you’re short on fresh ones. You can also stir in some finely chopped spinach with the cheese at the end. Barbecue sauce: we love the sweet and tangy flavor of barbecue sauce, but if you don’t you can sub this for tomato sauce of any kind. ÂNutrition Information
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Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
I made this for dinner tonight and we loved it! It was super easy and the perfect comfort food after a long day at work. I can’t wait to eat the leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
Ashley Fehr says
I am so happy to hear that Kristine! We just love our one pot pastas!
Izzy @ She Likes Food says
I used to think noodles and beans were strange together but then I tried them and it is so good!! I could pretty much eat anything that has chili in it! I agree, sometimes it’s so hard to think of a 30 minute recipe but so nice to have a new one to try!
Linda says
I made this today for a cold winter day in Michigan. Loved it. Also loved the fact that it is loaded with protein. Thank you for sharing.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Linda! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
marcie says
I was bad about 30 minute Thursdays at the end of last year too — I had a lot of sponsored work and was worn too thin. It’s nice to be back and I love this dish! Such great flavors and I know this would be a hit with my boys. Can’t wait to try it!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Marcie! I feel like most people were drowning under Christmas baking and didn’t cook as much — but I’m excited to be back at it!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Yeah this looks so good, Ashley! I can see what it’s a favorite of your. Some of my favorite recipes on the blog get zero attention, so it’s nice to bring them back around (even if in a slightly different form!) once in a while. I’m a big fan of BBQ flavors, so I know I’m going to love this! Happy New Year!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Liz! I think I need to do it more often — sometimes I hardly get around to making my personal favorites again!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Oh man, I have a feeling this pasta would be a TOTAL dinner home run in my family! I mean, could you ever go wrong with chili, pasta, and cheese all hanging out in one pot?? Dinner goals. 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah! It’s one of our favorites!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Mmm one pot pastas are my favorite! Definitely my perfect version of comfort food. I’m loving the bbq chicken flavor in here, Ashley! Especially since it’s all ready in just 30 minutes. Just what I need for busy weeknights!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gayle!