Description
Comfort chicken mac and cheese combines tender chicken with ultra-creamy pasta for a cozy, stick-to-your-ribs dinner. Every noodle gets wrapped in rich cheese sauce, making it pure comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Carbs:
- 1 cup cooked chicken, diced
- 2 cups macaroni
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings and Sweeteners:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons flour
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Boil 2 cups of macaroni in salted water at 212°F for exactly 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain pasta completely in a colander.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat (350°F) until it starts bubbling gently.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour into melted butter, whisking constantly for 60 seconds to create a smooth roux.
- Pour 2 cups milk slowly into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
- Simmer sauce at 190°F for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove sauce from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth.
- Add 1 cup diced cooked chicken, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 teaspoon black pepper to the cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly.
- Fold the cheese sauce into the drained macaroni, ensuring every noodle gets coated evenly.
- Taste the mac and cheese, adding salt as needed for balanced seasoning.
- Transfer to serving dishes immediately while hot and enjoy your creamy, sweet-and-spicy creation.
Notes
- Grate cheese fresh for the smoothest, most creamy sauce that melts perfectly into the mac and cheese.
- Choose a mild honey like clover or wildflower to complement the chicken without overpowering the dish.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend when making the sauce.
- Shred rotisserie chicken for an easier preparation that adds extra flavor to your mac and cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 to 4
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg