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Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese

A quick and comforting one-pan dish filled with creamy cheese, tender chicken, and pasta, perfect for families and busy weeknights.
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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: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts About 3-4 pieces
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter Divided
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs Optional for topping

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Boil salted water and cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sautéing Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
  2. Add cubed chicken seasoned with salt and pepper; cook for 5-7 minutes until fully cooked.
Making Cheese Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add the remaining 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. Transfer to an oven-safe dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.

Notes

Tips: Don’t overcook your chicken; it can dry out quickly. Try substituting sharp cheddar with other cheese varieties, like pepper jack for a kick. Add cream cheese or sour cream for extra creaminess.