Description
A creamy and flavorful mac and cheese dish featuring tender chicken with a delightful kick of sweetness and spice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (macaroni or your choice)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- Bread crumbs for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until it becomes slightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk while stirring constantly. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the pot from heat and stir in the cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted and creamy.
- In a separate pan, cook the diced chicken until it’s fully cooked through. Once done, stir in the honey and cracked black pepper, mixing well to coat the chicken evenly.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce and chicken mixture until everything is well coated. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for that delightful crispy texture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let it cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your tongue.
Notes
For added flavor, serve with a green salad and garlic bread. Can easily be customized with different vegetables or spices.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, chicken mac and cheese, comfort food, family meal