Description
A rich and creamy chicken mac and cheese recipe that’s perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8–10 oz elbow pasta
- 20–24 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, diced into 1 inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup milk (I used 2%)
- 4 cups grated cheese (2 cups sharp cheddar and 2 cups gruyere cheese)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided into 2 servings, 1 teaspoon each)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in water according to the package instructions. When cooked, drain the pasta reserving 1 1/2 cups of pasta water and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the chicken.
- Heat a pot or skillet on medium heat. If using a non-stick pan, oil it with olive oil or butter.
- Add the diced chicken to the pan with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until fully cooked and no longer pink. Remove from pan and set aside, reserving drippings in the pan.
- Add butter to the pan and let it melt over medium-low heat. Sprinkle flour throughout the pan onto melted butter, adding in stages to avoid clumping. Stir to create a roux.
- Add heavy cream, milk, grated cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens. Adjust spices as necessary.
- Add cooked chicken and pasta to the pot/pan and stir to combine. If too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until creamy.
- Preheat oven to Broil.
- Reserve 1 cup of cheese, using only 3 cups in the sauce or for topping.
- Sprinkle reserved cup of cheese on top of the mac and cheese.
- Broil for 4-6 minutes or until top is browned. Be cautious not to overcook to prevent drying out the chicken.
- Cool before serving.
Notes
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste.
- Make sure to not overcook during broiling to keep the chicken tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg