Description
Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese delivers comfort on a plate, blending hearty pasta with succulent chicken in a rich, velvety sauce. Cheese lovers and home cooks will savor this classic dish that promises warmth and satisfaction in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken (optional)
Pasta and Dairy:
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a large baking dish.
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, then grill or bake until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While chicken is cooking, boil macaroni in salted water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Slice or shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, then whisk in milk and heavy cream to create a smooth base.
- Gradually fold in cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and fully incorporated.
- Mix the cheese sauce with cooked macaroni, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated.
- Fold in the cooked chicken pieces, distributing them throughout the mac and cheese mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, then sprinkle the mixture over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Customize the seasoning by experimenting with different spice blends like Cajun or Italian herbs to add unique flavor profiles to the chicken.
- Opt for whole wheat macaroni or gluten-free pasta alternatives to make the dish more diet-friendly and nutritionally diverse.
- Use a blend of cheeses like sharp cheddar, monterey jack, and gruyere to create a more complex and rich cheese sauce with deeper flavor dimensions.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or milk and reduce the amount of cheese to cut down on calories while maintaining creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 695
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg