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Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese

A cozy and satisfying dish perfect for any day, combining tender chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts 3-4 pieces
  • 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

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Boil salted water in a pot and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Sautéing Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken seasoned with salt and pepper; cook for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
Making Cheese Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add a little more butter. Stir in the flour until smooth, then slowly whisk in the milk. Keep stirring until it thickens, which should take about 4-5 minutes.
  2. Lower the heat and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts and becomes smooth.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Gently fold in the cooked pasta and sautéed chicken until everything is coated in the creamy cheese sauce.
Baking (Optional)
  1. Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish. Top it with breadcrumbs and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes until golden brown.

Notes

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm in the microwave or on the stove. You may need to add a splash of milk to loosen the sauce. You can add veggies like broccoli or spinach for extra nutrition or use different types of cheese for variation.