Description
Indulge in this rich and creamy chicken mac and cheese, featuring tender chicken, gooey cheese, and perfectly cooked macaroni—ideal for a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add cubed chicken seasoned with salt and pepper; cook for 5-7 minutes until fully cooked.
- Create the Cheese Sauce: In the same skillet, add more butter. Stir in flour until smooth, then slowly whisk in milk until thickened (about 4-5 minutes).
- Add Cheddar: Lower heat and gradually stir in shredded cheddar until melted and smooth.
- Combine: Gently fold in cooked pasta and sautéed chicken until coated in the cheese sauce.
- Bake (optional): For a crunchy topping, transfer to an oven-safe dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
Notes
- For added nutrition, incorporate vegetables like spinach or broccoli.
- Experiment with different cheeses for unique flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg