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Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese

A one-pan meal loaded with tender chicken and a decadent cheese sauce, Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food for the family.
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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 About 3-4 breasts.
  • 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, for topping

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Boil salted water and cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sautéing the Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add cubed chicken seasoned with salt and pepper; cook for 5-7 minutes until fully cooked.
Creating the Cheese Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add more butter. Stir in flour until smooth, then slowly whisk in milk until thickened (about 4-5 minutes).
  2. Lower heat and gradually stir in shredded cheddar until melted and smooth.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Gently fold in cooked pasta and sautéed chicken until coated in the cheese sauce.
Baking (Optional)
  1. For a crunchy topping, transfer to an oven-safe dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.

Notes

For a creamier sauce, go for extra cheddar. Spice it up with some black pepper or cayenne. Can also swap elbow macaroni for shells. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Can freeze for about 3 months.