Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Mac is a hearty one pot pasta meal that cooks completely in the crockpot!

You guys, I think sometimes I underestimate this whole it-being-winter thing.
Can you blame me? Sometimes it feels really strange to make supper at 3:00 just so I can photograph it for the blog. And then there’s that awkward “do you try to keep it warm until it’s actually supper or do you refrigerate it and reheat it later?” issue.
Anyway.
So I made this and, quite frankly, it was fantastic. So I had to remake it at an unnatural time of day so I could get some decent photos for you, in the hopes that you might be able to see how fantastic it was.
As a food blogger, I love looking to other food bloggers, and recipe sites, and cookbooks for inspiration.
But I am super proud of myself when I actually think of a recipe idea that I’ve never seen before.
We cooked a chicken on the weekend so that I’d have some extra chicken to use for a quick and easy meal during the week. And slow cooker = quick and easy. And we pink puffy heart quick and easy. And slow cookers.
I tried a chili mac a little while ago, and it went over really well here. Then I thought, “Barbecue chicken. Chili Mac. Barbecue Chicken Chili Mac?!”
Just say yes.
So I went to Pinterest. And I typed in “slow cooker chili mac”, and I didn’t find much. There were only a few recipes, and most added cooked pasta at the end of the cooking time. I wanted to do this without adding any extra pots. And I wanted that BBQ chicken chili flavour. And that I didn’t find anywhere.
Aside from stirring in the dry pasta half an hour before eating time, this is really a dump it and forget it kind of meal. But I’ll take that over completely mushy, overcooked pasta in my chili mac any day. And I had cooked chicken, so that’s what I used. But I don’t think you’d have any problems adding raw, diced chicken to the slow cooker at the beginning of the cooking time. It will probably release more juices into the chili, so you might want to reduce the liquid just a touch or add a touch more pasta.
*I have also made this with chopped turkey, and it’s just as fantastic!
{Slow Cooker} BBQ Chicken Chili Mac
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1/2 onion diced
- 540 ml can black or kidney beans, drained and rinsed 19oz
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups dry macaroni about 340g
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Add chicken, pepper, onion, beans, chili, powder, tomatoes, garlic, barbecue sauce, ketchup and chicken broth to slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (because I used cooked chicken, the cooking time is pretty flexible — if using raw chicken, you’ll want to cook at least 6-8 hours on low). Shred or chop the chicken.
- Half an hour before you wish to serve, set slow cooker to high and stir in salt to taste and dry pasta.
- After 20-25 minutes, check to see that your pasta is cooked (if not, give it a little more time. I found that 25 minutes was perfect). Stir in cheese and serve.
Notes
**NOTE: Nutrition information is estimated and will vary depending on exact serving size, types and brands of products used.
Nutrition Information
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Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
Oh man I’m SO there with you about having to photograph SO early in the day! I do all my photography between 9am and 10 and it seriously feels so weird making dinner so early in the morning! Not to mention the super-weird looks I get from my family! LOL. But this mac? Seriously SO freaking genius! I love that the whole thing cooks entirely in the crockpot!
Ashley says
Thanks Sarah! It was totally worth having to make it twice ๐
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
Anything with BBQ and mac and cheese is a winner in our house!
Ashley says
This one too Meg!
Queen of Spices says
that is one bowl of super yumminess!
Ashley says
Thanks!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Isn’t the lack of light right now annoying! I keep thinking I have time to take photos of something and then suddenly it’s already dark. Oh well. This slow cooker macaroni looks so good, and I love that it’s all done in the slow cooker!
Ashley says
It’s super frustrating! I’ve resorted to only ever cooking lunch. Lol. Thanks Stacey!
PAM says
How can I convert this for instant pot? Maybe cook all the chicken, peppers, etc in the IP for 10 minutes, boil the pasta on the side as usual, then add together with cheese?
Ashley Fehr says
I think that would work as long as there’s enough liquid!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Slow cooker recipe FTW! Love this perfect flavor combination!
Ashley says
Thanks Melanie!
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says
holy cow what a delicious bowl of yumminess!
Ashley says
Thanks Caralyn!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Haha, totally feel the same way ๐ Sometimes I think I want to share a certain meal and then I get lazy when I think of what time I have to make it just to take a decent photo lol. This bbq chicken chili mac is such a great idea! I love that you combined these favorite meals into one. Yay for another slow cooker winner too! It looks incredible!!
Ashley says
Thanks Kelly! I don’t mind cooking in the morning, but then we’re definitely eating leftovers for supper! Lol
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
I always LOVE your photography! That being said, I bet my dad would love this recipe (minus the onion since he has some weird phobia!) I always cook in the morning as well since this Canadian winter has made sure my natural light is ever-so lacking.
Ashley says
Uh, this Canadian winter is becoming increasingly unfriendly! Thanks Kacey — it’s a labor of love!
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
Yes, yes, yes–I feel you and the weird food timing issues. Plus, what’s worse is once I taste it, I totally want it now and not in a few hours. It’s a real test of my practically non-existent willpower. This chili, though, looks amazing. It literally encompasses three of my favorite things: mac, chili, and barbecue. Pinned!
Ashley says
Thanks Michelle! We’ve definitely eaten at weird hours sometimes, just because we can’t resist! Lol.
Shinee says
Yes, this looks like a winner, Ashley!
PS: Luckily the days are getting longer and longer from now on. Slowly, but sure. I totally understand your pain. ๐
Ashley says
Thanks Shinee! Slowly but surely we’ll make it through! Lol
Annie @Maebells says
Oh yes! This is so my kind of meal! I rarely think of the BBQ chicken flavor unless we are grilling so I love that you incorporated that into a delicious winter time dish! And I am so with you on the unnatural times of day! Yesterday I was standing on a ladder right in the front window, photographing dinner at 10am then I realized my neighbor was standing in his yard watching me. :/ Awkward.
Ashley says
Oh Annie, that’s so funny! Thankfully we don’t have neighbors watching here! I honestly can’t remember the last time I made supper… I’m always cooking in the morning so I can photograph the food! Lol
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
I’ve been doing the same thing, making dinner early in the day just so I can photograph in natural light. It feels a little weird to have to reheat dinner the first day I made it – the things we do for blogging!
I cannot wait to make this slow cooker chili mac! I have a feeling I’m going to need lots of easy meals like this in the coming weeks, and it looks like a warm, comforting meal for a cold night! Pinned!
Ashley says
Thanks Kristine! I hope you’re still feeling well!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This looks like delicious comfort food! And I totally feel you on the sunset issue… it gets dark too quick for pictures!
Ashley says
Thanks Medha! Just one of the many perks of a long winter…. Lol
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
Chili Mac is the best thing everrrr but with bbq? Oh yeah. And PS I can totally relate to being a little too pleased with myself when I come up with a recipe idea. Go you Ashley!!
Ashley says
Haha, there are SO many great cooks out there sharing stuff, I’m always just amazed when I search and don’t find like 25 different versions already! Thanks Karen!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Love this cheesy goodness! I love one pot meals and this is just perfect for the winter. Pinned and can’t wait to try this!
Ashley says
Thanks Ashley! Cheese and pasta are where it’s at this winter ๐
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
If I told you I was in love with this recipe would you believe me? I hope so because I’m seeing hearts in my eyes! YUM!
Ashley says
Haha, thanks Pamela! We’re in love too!
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
Love that I don’t have to cook the pasta separately! This looks amazing, pinning to try asap. The good news is that we’ve already passed the shortest day of the year- the light is coming back soon ๐
Ashley says
That’s a good point Sherri! Something to look forward to ๐
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
This recipe looks and sounds phenomenal! I love that it’s made in the slow cooker too! Perfect for these cold days!
Ashley says
Thanks Sheena! I do love my slow cooker ๐
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I love slow cooker meals like this! This chili mac needs to get added to our menu soon!
Ashley says
I don’t know if you can ever go wrong with a good slow cooker meal!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I totally feel the same way, Ashley! I think that’s why I focus more on baked goods, because I can make them anytime of the day. ๐ This bbq chicken chili mac looks delicious! I love that you made this in the slow cooker. Sounds so flavorful and perfect for the winter!
Ashley says
It totally makes sense Gayle! I love baking for that reason too! Thankfully, the husband is getting used to me only ever cooking lunch and not supper. Lol