Stepping outside this week has felt like walking straight into a humid sauna. The air is thick, stifling, and utterly inescapable. Yet, there’s a strange pleasure in returning home after a walk with Winston, our beloved furry companion, to the immediate embrace of cool, air-conditioned bliss. That sudden drop in temperature brings an instant smile to my face, reminding me of the simple luxury of modern comforts. It’s during these moments that I truly appreciate the little things, like air conditioning, that make sweltering summer days bearable. And what better way to complement a day of intense heat than with a dish that brings warmth and unparalleled comfort indoors?

While the thought of grilling outdoors might be unbearable in this heat, firing up the oven and stove for this incredible Memphis Style Mac and Cheese is always a delightful exception. This isn’t just any mac and cheese; it’s a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring succulent, perfectly seasoned chicken integrated into a rich, sharp, and irresistibly creamy pasta. Every bite delivers a harmonious blend of smoky, sweet, and savory notes from the tender chicken, beautifully complemented by the robust cheesy goodness of the macaroni. It’s the ultimate comfort food, designed to satisfy your deepest cravings, no matter the weather outside.

This is a sponsored post with Reynolds Wrap®. All opinions are my own.

Why Memphis Style Mac and Cheese? A Fusion of Southern Flavors

Memphis is renowned for its iconic barbecue, characterized by a unique dry rub that imparts deep, complex flavors without relying solely on heavy sauces. This recipe brings that distinctive Memphis spirit to a classic comfort dish, transforming ordinary mac and cheese into an extraordinary culinary experience. Instead of traditional pulled pork or ribs, we’re infusing the essence of Memphis BBQ into tender chicken thighs, creating a rich, flavorful base that elevates the entire dish. The homemade dry rub, a carefully balanced blend of chili powder, brown sugar, paprika, and a hint of cayenne, ensures every piece of chicken is packed with authentic Southern charm. When this flavorful chicken is tossed with the creamy pasta, the seasonings distribute throughout, creating an even more cohesive and delicious flavor profile that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What makes this Memphis Style Mac and Cheese recipe truly exceptional is its surprising simplicity. Despite its gourmet taste, the preparation is straightforward and accessible for home cooks of all skill levels. The magic happens as the perfectly roasted, spice-rubbed chicken is gently folded into the creamy, dreamy cheese sauce. This allows the robust flavors of the Memphis rub to permeate every strand of pasta, ensuring a consistent burst of savory deliciousness with each spoonful. You won’t find bland chicken here; instead, it’s a celebration of tender, moist meat bursting with an irresistible blend of spices, expertly mingling with the sharp, savory notes of the cheese. This unique combination truly sets our recipe apart, offering a fresh take on a beloved classic.

The Secret to Perfection: Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil

Achieving perfectly roasted chicken with minimal effort and maximum flavor is a breeze, especially when you have the right tools. For this recipe, Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil is an absolute game-changer. It takes the guesswork and the mess out of roasting, allowing you to focus on the joy of cooking. Lining your baking sheet with this innovative foil ensures that your Memphis-style chicken thighs cook evenly and remain incredibly moist and tender. The non-stick surface is truly revolutionary; the chicken literally lifts off the sheet with remarkable ease once cooked, leaving no stubborn residue behind. We’ve all experienced the frustration of meat sticking to the pan, leading to tedious scrubbing and lost bits of delicious crust. With Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil, those days are a distant memory. Cleanup becomes a simple matter of discarding the foil, saving you precious time and effort in the kitchen.

Beyond its incredible non-stick properties, Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil also plays a crucial role in creating the optimal cooking environment for our chicken. When covered tightly with another sheet of foil during the initial baking phase, it traps moisture and heat, ensuring the chicken cooks through thoroughly while absorbing all the wonderful flavors of the Memphis rub. This steaming effect helps to break down the connective tissues in the chicken thighs, resulting in unparalleled tenderness. Removing the foil for the final few minutes of baking allows the chicken to develop a beautiful, slightly caramelized crust, further enhancing its flavor and texture. This thoughtful approach to roasting, made easy by Reynolds Wrap®, guarantees that your chicken will be nothing short of perfection – juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare and clean up after.

This recipe (and another exciting one coming soon!) is part of Reynold’s innovative Endless Table campaign. Have you had a chance to see it? It’s a truly inspiring concept that celebrates shared meals and culinary creativity. I was thrilled to contribute to such a fantastic initiative. You absolutely have to check out their Instagram to experience the magic of the Endless Table, and definitely watch the video they created showcasing my Memphis Style Mac and Cheese! It perfectly captures the essence of this comforting dish. And speaking of which, now it’s your turn to bring this incredible recipe to your own table and create some unforgettable mealtime moments!

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Memphis Style Mac & Cheese

By:

Julie Chiou

A classic creamy mac ‘n cheese dish that is amped up with flavor from incorporating Memphis-Style chicken throughout! This homemade delight combines the smoky, sweet, and spicy notes of Memphis BBQ with a rich, velvety cheese sauce, creating a truly unforgettable comfort food experience.

Prep Time:

10 minutes minutes

Cook Time:

55 minutes minutes

Total Time:

1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings:

4 servings

Equipment

• Large rimmed baking sheet
• Baking dish
• Large skillet or pot
• Whisk

Ingredients

For the Memphis-Style Rub

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the rest of the dish:

• 1 ½ pounds (680 g) of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 ½ cups (150 g) cavatappi pasta or similar shape such as rotini pasta
• 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (118 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (113 g) heaping of extra sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 1 cup (113 g) heaping of intense white cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. PREPARE THE RUB: In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk together all the ingredients for the Memphis-Style Rub: chili powder, dark brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Set this fragrant blend aside.
2. PREHEAT OVEN AND PREPARE BAKING SHEET: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil, ensuring the non-stick side (the dull side) is facing up. This will prevent any sticking and make cleanup incredibly easy.
3. SEASON THE CHICKEN: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs onto the prepared baking sheet. Generously sprinkle the Memphis-Style Rub on all sides of the chicken, gently pressing the spices into the meat to ensure it adheres well. This step is crucial for infusing maximum flavor.
4. ROAST THE CHICKEN: Cover the baking sheet tightly with another sheet of Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. This initial covered baking helps to steam the chicken, locking in moisture and ensuring tenderness.
5. FINISH BAKING: During the last 15 minutes of baking, carefully remove the top foil sheet and continue to bake uncovered. This allows the chicken to brown slightly and develop a delicious, flavorful crust. The chicken is done when it’s tender and the juices run clear, or a meat thermometer reads 180°F (82°C) for thighs. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it cool just enough to handle safely.
6. CHOP CHICKEN: Once cooled, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This ensures even distribution throughout the mac and cheese.
7. COOK THE PASTA: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the cavatappi pasta (or your chosen similar shape) and cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly once cooked.
8. MAKE THE CHEESE SAUCE: In a large skillet or pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour to create a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Allow the mixture to thicken for 3-5 minutes, becoming smooth and slightly bubbling.
9. ADD CHEESE: Reduce the heat to low. Add the heaping cups of extra sharp cheddar cheese and intense white cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously with a spatula until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is wonderfully smooth and creamy. Ensure the heat is not too high to prevent the cheese from seizing.
10. COMBINE PASTA AND SAUCE: Add the drained cooked pasta to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is coated in the luxurious cheese sauce.
11. INTEGRATE CHICKEN: Fold the chopped Memphis-style chicken pieces into the mac and cheese. Stir carefully to distribute the flavorful chicken evenly throughout the creamy pasta.
12. SEASON AND SERVE: Taste the mac and cheese and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving
,

Calories: 657kcal
,

Carbohydrates: 37g
,

Protein: 52g
,

Fat: 33g
,

Saturated Fat: 16g
,

Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
,

Monounsaturated Fat: 8g
,

Trans Fat: 0.3g
,

Cholesterol: 234mg
,

Sodium: 958mg
,

Potassium: 611mg
,

Fiber: 2g
,

Sugar: 4g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This Memphis Style Mac and Cheese is hearty enough to be a stand-alone meal, but it also pairs beautifully with a fresh, crisp side salad or some steamed green beans to balance the richness. For those who love a little extra kick, a drizzle of your favorite BBQ sauce over the top before serving would be a fantastic addition, or even a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro for a pop of color and freshness. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different pasta shapes if cavatappi isn’t available; rotini or elbow macaroni work just as well, though the twists and turns of cavatappi really hold onto that creamy sauce and flavorful chicken. You could also try adding a smoky element by incorporating a pinch of smoked paprika into the rub or using a smoked cheddar alongside the sharp and intense white cheddars for an even deeper flavor profile.

Conclusion: A Taste of Southern Comfort at Your Table

This Memphis Style Mac and Cheese with juicy, spice-rubbed chicken is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. It brings the vibrant, soul-satisfying flavors of Southern barbecue right into your home, blending them seamlessly with the universally loved comfort of macaroni and cheese. With the added convenience and effortless cleanup provided by Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil, preparing this delectable dish becomes a joy, not a chore. So, whether you’re battling a heatwave or simply craving a truly special homemade meal, this recipe promises to deliver warmth, flavor, and immense satisfaction. Gather your ingredients, prepare for an explosion of taste, and get ready to create a new family favorite. We encourage you to try this recipe for your own table and taste the magic for yourself!