Cooking outdoors always adds a little extra flavor to the experience — maybe it’s the open air, the smell of the fire, or the joy of sharing a meal with your crew under the trees. Out here at Basecamp Brooklyn Estates, we’re always looking for ways to turn simple ingredients into something unforgettable.

This Elote Chicken Mac & Cheese recipe brings together two of our favorite comfort foods — creamy mac and cheese and the smoky, spicy goodness of Mexican street corn. It’s easy to make in a cast iron skillet over the fire or on your camp stove, and it’s guaranteed to become a crowd favorite at your next campout, backyard cookout, or cabin weekend.

We first made this dish after a friend shared a bottle of Trader Joe’s Everything But the Elote seasoning with us — a mix inspired by the classic flavors of grilled corn in Mexico. It’s packed with creamy, tangy, and smoky notes that take this cheesy camp classic to the next level.

What is Elote?

If you haven’t tried Elote, you’re in for a treat. This Mexican street food starts with grilled corn on the cob, then gets coated in creamy mayo, Cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime. The combo of savory, spicy, and tangy flavors is absolute magic — and it’s the inspiration behind this twist on traditional mac and cheese.

Easy Elote Chicken Mac & Cheese

Camp-Stove Edition (with Open-Fire Option)

Serves: 4–6
Cook Time: ~35 minutes
Skill Level: Beginner-friendly outdoor cooking

Gear:

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Camp stove (like this compact double-burner propane stove or this larger kitchen stove setup is great if you have space in your car to bring it along)
Medium pot for pasta
Cast-iron skillet
Tongs or spatula
Heat-safe spoon or spatula
Meat thermometer

Ingredients:

1 lb elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (about 4 boneless thighs)
2 tbsp Elote seasoning (Trader Joes or similar Mexican-style blend)
Olive oil for cooking
1–2 chopped green onions
1–2 chopped jalapeños (optional)

Instructions (Camp-Stove Method)

cast iron dutch oven over camp chef camp stove flame

Cook the Chicken
Place your cast-iron skillet over medium heat on the camp stove. Add olive oil.
Sear chicken thighs until they reach 165°F.
Season generously with Elote seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Remove, rest briefly, and shred or chop.
Boil the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil on the second burner.
Cook macaroni per package directions. Drain and return to pot.
Build the Cheese Sauce
With the pot back on the burner, melt butter.
Stir in heavy cream, salt, and black pepper.
Add cheese a handful at a time, stirring until smooth and creamy.
Combine
Add shredded chicken into the skillet.
Pour mac and cheese over top and stir to coat everything.
Top with green onions and jalapeños.
Serve
Scoop, share, enjoy under the sky.

Open-Fire Version (Dutch Oven / Cast Iron)

Prefer to cook over the coals? Swap the camp stove for fire-side cooking.

Tips:

Cast-iron skillet of Elote Chicken Mac & Cheese bubbling over a camp stove at Basecamp Brooklyn Estates — creamy cheese, jalapeños, and green onions on top.

Use a cast-iron Dutch oven or skillet with lid for even heat.
Build a solid coal bed; avoid direct flame.
Boil pasta in a camp pot over the fire grate or on a camp stove.
Combine everything in the Dutch oven, cover, and let it rest over low coals for 5–8 minutes to meld and slightly crisp around the edges.

This method gives you that smoky camp flavor and cheesy golden crust around the edges.

Why We Love It

This recipe is proof that comfort food belongs outdoors. Whether you're camping, cooking in the backyard, or making Basecamp favorites at home, it brings warmth, flavor, and that shared-meal feeling we’re all about.

🎥 Watch the Video: Elote Chicken Mac & Cheese
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more open-fire recipes, outdoor cooking tips, and Basecamp Brooklyn adventures.

Want to Take Your Camp Cooking Setup to the Next Level?

If you love this recipe and you’re ready to elevate your outdoor meals, check out our guide:
👉 The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Elevate Your Outdoor Cooking Experience

From must-have storage solutions to the best heat sources and cleanup gear, this guide walks you through the five essentials for building your dream camp kitchen:
Storage, Tools, Heat Source, Cooking/Prep Surface, and Sanitation.

Whether you’re car camping, overlanding, or setting up at Basecamp Brooklyn Estates, you’ll find practical tips to make your outdoor kitchen safer, cleaner, and more efficient — so you can spend less time hunting for gear and more time savoring your food.