Description
Chicken mac and cheese brings comfort straight to your dinner table with zero fuss and maximum flavor. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta create a crowd-pleasing meal that makes weeknight dinners absolutely delightful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb or 454 g)
- 3 cups (720 ml) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups (480 ml) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 4 tablespoons (60 ml) butter
Seasonings and Toppings:
- ½ cup (120 ml) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Boil 3 cups elbow macaroni in salted water at 212°F (100°C) for 7-8 minutes until perfectly tender. Drain and set aside, keeping the pasta warm.
- Dice 4 chicken breasts (1 lb) into bite-sized cubes. Season with 1 tsp salt and 12 tsp pepper. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat at 350°F (175°C). Sauté chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden and completely cooked through.
- Create the creamy cheese sauce by melting 1 tbsp butter in a saucepan at medium heat (325°F/160°C). Whisk until smooth, gradually incorporating 1 cup whole milk. Simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Fold 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese into the warm milk mixture. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and creates a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Combine the cooked macaroni and chicken in a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot cheese sauce over the pasta and meat, stirring gently to ensure every piece is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle 12 cup panko breadcrumbs and 1 tsp garlic powder across the top for a crispy texture.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges become bubbly and crisp.
Notes
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more robust flavor that cuts through the creaminess of the sauce.
- Seasoning the chicken with garlic powder or smoked paprika can add extra depth to the dish.
- For a gluten-free version, replace regular flour with cornstarch and use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Let the mac and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to set and become more creamy.
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 37-40 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 572 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg