Homemade Chicken Mac and Cheese

5 from 1 vote

Homemade Chicken Mac and Cheese

Homemade Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food! With tender noodles, juicy chicken, and crispy bacon smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, it’s baked to perfection with a golden, bubbly topping. A delicious hug in a bowl!

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Course: Casserole

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 927kcal

Author: Love Keil

Ingredients

Macaroni & Chicken

8 oz pasta penne or elbow pasta
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups cooked chicken rotisserie chicken, cubed
5 slices bacon baked in the oven at 400F for 10 min and finely cut into pieces

Breadcrumb Topping

⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter melted
½ teaspoon sea salt

Cheese Sauce

4 tablespoons butter
⅓ cup flour
3 cups whole milk warmed
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese freshly shredded
1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste

Seasonings

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

Get the Oven Ready: First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and warm when your chicken pasta is ready to go.
Cook the Pasta: Grab a pot and cook your favorite pasta according to the package instructions. Once it’s al dente, drain the water and stir in 1 tablespoon of butter for some extra flavor!
Whip Up the Topping: In a mixing bowl, gather all your topping ingredients and mix them together. Set this aside for later—this is what will make your bake extra special!
Make the Creamy Sauce: In a large, oven-safe skillet, melt some butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and stir continuously for about a minute to create a flavorful roux.
Slowly add 1 cup of milk, mixing until everything is blended and smooth. Then add the rest of the milk, whisking away to ensure it's lump-free.
Season it with salt and seasoning mix.
Thicken It Up: Keep whisking! Simmer on low the mixture for about 5 to 8 minutes until it thickens into a lovely creamy sauce.
Mix in the Goodies: Once your sauce is ready, take it off the heat and stir in the cheese (no need for it to melt just yet!). Adjust the salt again if you’d like, and then fold in the cooked pasta, cubed chicken, and crispy bacon.
Time to Bake: Sprinkle your breadcrumb topping generously over the pasta mixture. Pop it in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is a beautiful light golden brown. Keep an eye on it so you don’t over bake!
Garnish and Enjoy: Once it’s out of the oven, sprinkle some chopped parsley and a little black pepper on top to finish. Dig in and enjoy this warm, cheesy, and satisfying pasta bake with Caesar Salad!

Notes

Cook your noodles just until they’re al dente, so they stay perfect after baking!
Don’t forget to add a pinch of salt to the boiling water—it makes a huge difference in flavor!
A little butter or olive oil will keep your pasta from sticking together, which is always a win.
When mixing in the cheese, try to get it nice and smooth to avoid any pesky lumps.
And while your delicious macaroni and cheese with chicken and bacon is baking, keep an eye on it so that golden topping doesn’t burn. Enjoy your cooking!

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