Description
Creamy chicken mac and cheese brings Southern comfort to your dinner table with tender pasta and juicy chicken. Rich cheese sauce and golden breadcrumb topping create a classic family-favorite meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced or shredded
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta by cooking according to package instructions, then drain and set aside at room temperature.
- Season chicken with a blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then sauté in olive oil over medium heat until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Create a roux by melting butter in a large pot, then gradually incorporate flour, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden color.
- Slowly pour milk into the roux, whisking consistently to prevent lumps and create a smooth base, cooking until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Blend in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, adding mustard powder, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor profile, stirring until the cheese melts completely.
- Fold the cooked pasta and chicken into the velvety cheese sauce, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, optionally topping with a crispy panko breadcrumb and melted butter mixture.
- Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges become bubbly, creating a deliciously crisp and creamy mac and cheese.
Notes
- Swap chicken for tofu or plant-based protein to create a vegetarian version that maintains the creamy, comforting texture.
- Use gluten-free pasta and flour to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising on taste.
- Select high-quality, sharp cheddar cheese to enhance the overall flavor profile and create a more robust cheese sauce.
- Allow the cheese sauce to thicken gradually to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, velvety consistency that coats the pasta perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 7.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg