Creamy Parmesan Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese
A comforting dish that combines creamy cheese, succulent chicken, and aromatic garlic, perfect for weeknight meals or family gatherings.
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Pot
- Baking Dish
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Pasta
- 2 cups Elbow Macaroni Cook until al dente.
Protein
- 1 pound Chicken Breast Boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces.
Flavorings
- 4 cloves Garlic Minced.
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter Divided for cooking.
- ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour For thickening the sauce.
- 2 cups Chicken Broth Enhances flavor.
- 1 cup Heavy Cream For creaminess.
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese Freshly grated.
Seasonings
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Topping
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs For a crunchy topping.
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown, about 6-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining butter to the skillet, then sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the garlic and butter mixture, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth, cooking until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Lower heat, add heavy cream, and simmer for 2 minutes until creamy.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Combine cooked macaroni and chicken into the cheese sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Combine breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and edges are bubbly.
- Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Consider adding vegetables or different types of cheese for variations.