Description
Indulge in creamy chicken and mac and cheese, a comforting dish that combines tender chicken with rich, cheesy pasta. Perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente; drain.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook until golden on both sides. Dice once cooked.
- For the cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux, then gradually add milk, stirring until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar until melted; add garlic powder and seasoning.
- Combine cooked macaroni and diced chicken with the cheese sauce; mix well.
- (Optional) Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with additional cheddar, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: For extra flavor, use smoked Gouda or add steamed broccoli. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days; reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.