Description
A comforting dish that perfectly melds tender chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and al dente pasta into one delectable bowl; ideal for weeknight dinners or cozy family gatherings.
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
- In a pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 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.
- In the same skillet, add more butter. Stir in flour until smooth, then gradually whisk in milk. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
- Lower the heat and slowly stir in the shredded cheddar until melted and creamy.
- Gently fold in the cooked pasta and sautéed chicken until everything is well coated in the cheese sauce.
- For a crunchy topping, transfer to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
Notes
For a little extra kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños to the cheese sauce. Experimenting with cheese blends can create unique flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: creamy chicken mac and cheese, easy pasta recipes, comfort food