Description
Chicken and mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort dish that combines juicy chicken thighs with creamy elbow macaroni enveloped in a rich cheddar cheese sauce. Perfect for family dinners or game nights, this recipe promises a delightful experience with every bite. Easy to prepare and customizable, it features a crunchy panko topping that adds texture to the cheesy goodness. Gather your loved ones around the table and indulge in this heartwarming meal that feels like a warm hug.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ? cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ? cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350?F (175?C).
- Cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente; drain without rinsing.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat and saut? seasoned chicken thighs until browned (about 5 minutes per side). Remove chicken and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- In the same skillet, melt more butter, whisk in flour to form a roux, then gradually add milk and stir in shredded cheddar until melted.
- Combine cooked macaroni, sliced chicken, cheese sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Top with panko breadcrumbs and bake uncovered for about 25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg