Bushra Griffith
Chicken macaroni and cheese is a delicious twist on the classic mac and cheese recipe, combining the beloved flavours of the original with tender bites of chicken and a cheesy homemade touch. This dish is a great comfort meal and can be made in a variety of ways, using different types of pasta and cheese. It's also a flexible recipe that can be adjusted to your liking, making it a perfect option for a weeknight dinner or a special weekend treat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Comfort food, Main Course |
| Cuisine | American |
| Main Ingredients | Chicken, Macaroni, Cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Butter, Breadcrumbs, Onion, Garlic, Flour, Milk, Mustard, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Celery Flakes, Chicken Stock, Parsley |
| Cheese Options | Mozzarella, Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Gruyere |
| Spices | Cayenne Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder |
| Wine Pairing | Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc |
| Cookware | Large Pot, Skillet, Slow Cooker, Crockpot, Saucepan |
| Cooking Techniques | Boiling, Baking, Sauteing, Whisking, Stirring, Simmering, Melting, Shredding |
| Cooking Time | Varies, Typically Under 1 Hour |
| Yield | Varies, Typically Serves Multiple People |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 4 Days or Freeze for up to 3 Months |
| Reheating | Microwave or Oven at 350°F for 10-15 Minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken preparation
Chicken macaroni and cheese is a hearty dish that combines the flavours of chicken and cheese. The chicken can be prepared in several ways, and you can use leftover chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or quickly poach some chicken breasts. Here is a detailed guide on preparing the chicken for your macaroni and cheese:
Start by deciding on the type of chicken you want to use. As mentioned, leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken are convenient options. If you prefer to cook your chicken specifically for this dish, you can poach or boil chicken breasts until they are no longer pink and cooked through. You can also use a slow cooker to prepare the chicken. Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker with seasonings like salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Pour in just enough of your preferred sauce to cover the chicken, and cook on low heat until the chicken is cooked through.
Once your chicken is cooked, you can shred or chop it into cubes. The size and shape of the chicken pieces are entirely up to your preference. If you're poaching or boiling the chicken, you can use a potato masher to shred it into smaller pieces. For slow cooker chicken, you can use a fork or spoon to shred it once it's cooked.
You can also sear the chicken to add some colour and flavour. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the chicken cubes. Season with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown and cooked through, which should take around 5 to 7 minutes. This step is optional but can enhance the overall taste and appearance of your dish.
Now that your chicken is prepared, you can move on to the next steps of making chicken macaroni and cheese, including preparing the sauce and combining all the ingredients. Remember to adjust the seasonings and ingredients to your taste preferences.
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Macaroni cooking
To cook the macaroni for chicken macaroni and cheese, start by bringing a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes, or according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent the macaroni from sticking together. Set aside.
For crockpot chicken macaroni and cheese, boil the macaroni for only 3 minutes, as the pasta will continue to cook in the crockpot. Drain the pasta and set aside.
If you are making a casserole-style chicken macaroni and cheese, transfer the contents to a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and the breadcrumbs are golden.
When making the sauce for your chicken macaroni and cheese, you can add the cooked macaroni directly to the skillet or pot. Stir everything well to combine, and allow the pasta to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will give the pasta time to absorb the sauce and prevent it from becoming too dry or overcooked.
Remember, the key to cooking macaroni for chicken macaroni and cheese is to avoid overcooking the pasta. By following the above instructions, you'll ensure that your macaroni is cooked to al dente, resulting in a dish with the perfect texture and consistency.
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Sauce preparation
To make the sauce for chicken macaroni and cheese, you'll need a combination of milk, cheese, flour, and butter. You can also add mustard, hot sauce, or garlic to enhance the flavor.
Start by heating butter in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Once melted, add chopped onions and cook for 3-5 minutes until they become translucent. Then, add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to a minute. Sprinkle flour over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring constantly to create a roux. Cook this mixture for about a minute.
Next, gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens and bubbles. You can also add dry or Dijon mustard at this stage for extra flavor. Keep cooking and stirring until the sauce becomes smooth.
Now it's time to add the cheese. Shred or grate the cheese beforehand for better melting. You can use a combination of mozzarella, cheddar, Colby Jack, Parmesan, or any other soft cheese you prefer. Stir the cheese into the sauce over low heat until it melts and combines with the sauce.
At this point, you can also add hot sauce to taste to make your chicken macaroni and cheese spicy. Alternatively, you can season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Combining ingredients
To make chicken macaroni and cheese, you'll need to combine the cooked pasta and chicken with a cheese sauce.
Preparing the Pasta
Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Be careful not to overcook the pasta, as it will continue to absorb the sauce and soften upon standing.
Preparing the Chicken
You can use leftover chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or quickly poach some chicken breasts. If you're cooking chicken breasts, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the chicken cubes. Season with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
Making the Cheese Sauce
In the same skillet, melt butter and add chopped onions. Cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Then, add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and stir well, cooking for another minute to create a roux.
Next, whisk in milk and dry or prepared mustard. You can also add some chicken stock at this stage. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and bubbles, about 5 minutes. Then, add your chosen cheeses. Stir in batches until the cheese has melted and combined to create a smooth sauce. Good options for cheese include mozzarella, cheddar, Colby Jack, cream cheese, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan.
Combining the Ingredients
Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the cheese sauce and stir everything together until well combined. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Let the dish sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb the sauce and cool down. This will help prevent the sauce from becoming too thick.
Finally, serve the chicken macaroni and cheese with your choice of toppings and sides. Some options include breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, parsley, celery sticks, and breadsticks.
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Baking and serving
Chicken macaroni and cheese can be baked in an oven or crockpot. If you are making the dish in advance, you can transfer the contents to a baking dish, top it with breadcrumbs, and bake it at 350°F for 20 minutes. You can also reheat leftovers by covering them in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
If you are using a crockpot, combine the chicken with macaroni, milk, cheese, and cream cheese. Stir everything together and cook on low for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
Chicken macaroni and cheese can be served with celery sticks, beer, or breadsticks and a veggie. It can also be garnished with fresh herbs and served with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
To prevent the pasta from overcooking or turning mushy, it is important to not fully cook the macaroni before adding it to the crockpot or oven. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits, so it is recommended to let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
Elbow macaroni is the traditional pasta in macaroni and cheese, but you can use other shapes such as shells, penne, cavatappi, fusilli, or ziti.
Cook the pasta until it's al dente, which means it should be slightly firm. This will ensure it doesn't turn mushy when combined with the sauce. Depending on the type of pasta, this could be around 3 to 8 minutes.
You can use leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or quickly poach some chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs or a combination of white and dark meat to enhance the flavour.
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until it's no longer pink and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or covered in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
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