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Easy Crack Chicken Mac and Cheese

Easy Crack Chicken Mac and Cheese

This recipe for Easy Crack Chicken Mac and Cheese combines creamy cheese sauce, chicken, and pasta for a comforting dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 3 minutes
Total Time 47 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 2000 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • 9x13-inch baking dish

Ingredients
  

For the sauce

  • 4 tablespoon butter I like Kerrygold unsalted butter for this
  • 4 tablespoon flour
  • 1.5 oz ranch mix I use Hidden Valley for that classic flavor
  • 1.75 cups cream
  • 1.25 cups milk
  • 2 cups cheddar sharp variety gives better texture and moisture
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the pasta assembly

  • 0.5 lb campanelle
  • 1.75 cups chicken shredded or cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 0.5 cup bacon cooked crisp and crumbled into small bits

For the topping

  • 3 tablespoon panko adds a nice crunch

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. While it heats, shred or cut your chicken into ½-inch cubes, cook your bacon until crisp and crumble it into small bits, measure out your cheddar cheese, and have your ranch mix ready.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the campanelle according to package directions until just al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Drain thoroughly and set aside.
  • In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
  • Pour in the cream and milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Add the ranch seasoning mix and stir to combine, then simmer for 5-6 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  • Remove the pot from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth. Season with black pepper to taste.
  • Add the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and crumbled bacon to the sauce, folding gently until everything is evenly coated.
  • Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs evenly across the top.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350°F until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Remove from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, slightly undercook the pasta since it will continue cooking in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingsCalories: 2000kcal
Keyword Baked Mac and Cheese, Cheese, Chicken, comfort food, Easy Crack Chicken Mac and Cheese, Pasta
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