Bushra Griffith
Chicken mac and cheese is a delicious twist on the classic macaroni and cheese. This comfort food is easy to make and can be adapted to your liking. The dish combines tender bites of chicken with a creamy, cheesy sauce and a variety of pasta shapes. The recipe is flexible, allowing for the use of different cheeses, cooking methods, and additional ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Whether you're a busy parent or an adventurous cook, chicken mac and cheese is a perfect weeknight meal that can be prepared in advance and enjoyed by both kids and adults alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Comfort food |
| Main ingredients | Chicken, macaroni, cheese |
| Cheese options | Mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, gouda, gruyere, gorgonzola, Monterey jack |
| Other ingredients | Butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, flour, milk, mustard, breadcrumbs |
| Spices | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, celery flakes |
| Wine pairing | Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc |
| Preparation time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking time | 5-7 minutes for chicken, 8 -10 minutes for macaroni, 20 minutes in the oven |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 4 days, 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: Season and cook chicken cubes in olive oil for 5-7 minutes
- Sauce preparation: Sauté onions and garlic, then add flour, milk, mustard, and cheese
- Macaroni preparation: Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente
- Combining ingredients: Add cooked chicken and macaroni to the sauce
- Serving: Garnish with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese
Chicken preparation: Season and cook chicken cubes in olive oil for 5-7 minutes
Chicken preparation is a crucial step in making delicious macaroni and cheese with chicken. Here is a detailed guide to help you prepare the chicken perfectly:
Start by cutting the chicken into cubes or bite-sized pieces. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Take a large skillet and heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken cubes to the skillet. The amount of olive oil should be just enough to coat the bottom of the skillet, about two tablespoons. You can adjust the amount of oil depending on the size of your skillet.
Now, it's time to season the chicken. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over the chicken cubes. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper according to your taste preferences. Using a spatula or spoon, mix the chicken cubes well to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasonings.
Cook the chicken cubes in the skillet for 5-7 minutes. Stir and flip the chicken pieces occasionally to ensure even cooking. You will know the chicken is done when it is no longer pink and the juices run clear. Alternatively, you can check if the chicken is cooked through by using a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a plate or bowl and set it aside. It's now ready to be added to your macaroni and cheese!
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Sauce preparation: Sauté onions and garlic, then add flour, milk, mustard, and cheese
To make the sauce for your macaroni and cheese with chicken, start by heating some olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, or until translucent. Next, add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until fragrant.
Then, sprinkle flour over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring well to combine and create a roux. Cook this mixture for about another minute. At this point, you can also add some chicken stock. Now, slowly whisk in milk and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens and bubbles. You can also add dry or Dijon mustard to the sauce.
Finally, add the cheese. You can use a combination of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan, or any other soft cheeses you enjoy. Stir the cheese into the sauce over low heat until melted and smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
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Macaroni preparation: Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente
To prepare the macaroni for chicken macaroni cheese, start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. Use a large pot to ensure the water can cover the macaroni. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water—this will flavour the macaroni as it cooks.
Once the water is boiling, add the macaroni. You can use elbow macaroni, or other shapes such as shells, penne, or ziti. Check the packet instructions for how much macaroni to add, or how long to cook it for. Generally, the macaroni will take around 8 minutes to cook until tender yet firm to the bite, but this may vary depending on the type of pasta you are using.
Stir the macaroni occasionally as it cooks, to prevent it from sticking together. After 8 minutes, or according to the packet instructions, check that the macaroni is 'al dente'. This means it should be soft but still slightly firm to the bite. If the macaroni is soft all the way through, it has been overcooked and may become mushy when combined with the cheese sauce.
When the macaroni is cooked, drain the water and rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set the macaroni aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
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Combining ingredients: Add cooked chicken and macaroni to the sauce
Once you have cooked the chicken, it's time to prepare the sauce. To do this, heat some butter in a pot or skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until softened and translucent. Then, add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Next, sprinkle flour over the onion and garlic mixture and stir. Cook for another minute. Then, whisk in the milk and dried mustard. You can also add chicken stock at this stage. If you want a spicy kick, add some hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or chilli powder.
Now it's time to add the cheese. Stir in the mozzarella and cheddar, and continue to cook until the cheese has melted. You can also add some parmesan, gouda, gruyere, or gorgonzola. Keep stirring until you have a smooth, creamy sauce.
Finally, add the cooked chicken and macaroni to the sauce. Stir everything together, ensuring the pasta is well coated in the sauce. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary with salt and pepper.
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Serving: Garnish with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese
To serve your chicken mac and cheese, you can add a delicious, crispy topping by garnishing with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
First, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Add 3/4 cup of breadcrumbs and stir everything together. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and toasted. Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs over the top of the mac and cheese mixture.
Finally, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. You can also add fresh herbs as a garnish.
This chicken mac and cheese is best served hot, when the sauce is still creamy. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need chicken, macaroni, butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, flour, milk, mustard, and cheese. For the chicken, you can use leftover chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or quickly poach some chicken breasts. For the cheese, a combination of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan works well.
First, heat some butter in a pan and add the onion, cooking until translucent. Then, add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Next, sprinkle in the flour and stir, cooking for another minute. Finally, whisk in the milk and mustard, followed by the cheese, and stir until melted.
Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. In a separate pan, heat some olive oil and cook the chicken until golden brown. Combine the cooked macaroni and chicken with the sauce and stir until well combined. For a crispy topping, melt some butter in a pan and add breadcrumbs, cooking until golden brown. Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese before serving.
