Description
Indulge in a comforting and decadent Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese that combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, cheesy sauce. This dish is sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 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
For the Chicken:
- 3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- Additional salt and pepper for seasoning
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter for sautéing
- 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
- You can customize this dish by adding diced vegetables or crispy bacon for extra flavor.
- Adjust the cheese quantity based on your preference for a cheesier or creamier sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese, Chicken Macaroni and Cheese, Cheesy Chicken Pasta
