The Ultimate Chicken Broccoli Macaroni And Cheese With Bacon Recipe

Chicken broccoli macaroni and cheese with bacon represents the ultimate comfort food fusion that crafts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Savory proteins mingle with vibrant green vegetables, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Creamy cheese sauce binds these components together, promising a rich and satisfying meal.

Layers of complexity emerge from each carefully selected ingredient, promising depth beyond simple pasta dishes.

Crispy bacon introduces a delightful crunch that elevates the entire composition.

Nutritional balance meets indulgent pleasure in this crowd-pleasing recipe that appeals to both adults and children.

You’ll find this dish perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend celebrations.

Tips to Get Mac & Cheese Just Right

• Maximize Bacon Flavor: Reserve some bacon drippings to infuse extra richness into the cheese sauce, enhancing the overall depth of taste.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring a satisfying bite when mixed with the creamy sauce.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove the skillet from direct heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, silky sauce.
• Balanced Seasoning: Taste and adjust salt levels carefully, as bacon and cheese already contribute significant saltiness to the dish.
• Quick Serving Strategy: Prepare all ingredients beforehand and serve immediately to maintain the optimal temperature and creamy consistency of the mac and cheese.

Handling Leftovers of This Cheesy Dish

• Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken broccoli macaroni and cheese in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover the container tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Freezing: Carefully transfer cooled pasta to a freezer-safe container, sealing it completely. Frozen mac and cheese can be stored up to 2 months. Place a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent freezer burn and protect against unwanted ice crystals.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. For oven reheating, place the mac and cheese in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

What to Eat with This Comfort Classic

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the richness of the mac and cheese, offering a refreshing contrast to the creamy, bacon-laden dish.
• Match with Tangy Side Salad: Create a light green salad with vinaigrette dressing to balance the heavy, cheesy pasta and provide a zesty, fresh counterpoint to the meal.
• Complement with Craft Beer: An amber ale or hoppy IPA enhances the bacon's smoky flavor and stands up to the robust cheese sauce, creating a satisfying flavor experience.
• Serve with Roasted Vegetable Medley: A simple side of roasted carrots, zucchini, or brussels sprouts adds nutritional balance and provides a caramelized, slightly crisp texture to complement the creamy pasta.

Mac & Cheese Versions You’ll Want to Try

• Spicy Southwest Sensation: Swap plain cheese for pepper jack, add diced green chilies, and sprinkle chili powder over chicken for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Magic: Replace bacon with crispy pancetta, use feta cheese instead of cheddar, and mix in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil for a Mediterranean flair.
• Harvest Veggie Blend: Substitute chicken with roasted butternut squash, add caramelized onions, and use gruyere cheese for a rich, autumnal version that celebrates seasonal produce.
• Protein Power Bowl: Incorporate quinoa alongside macaroni, use Greek yogurt in the sauce for extra protein, and top with grilled shrimp or shredded rotisserie chicken for a protein-packed meal.

Why This Chicken Bacon Mac & Cheese Recipe Works

• Maximize Flavor Combinations: This recipe brilliantly blends savory bacon, tender chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and nutritious broccoli into one mouthwatering dish that satisfies multiple taste cravings in a single bite.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Prepare this delectable mac and cheese in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families seeking a hearty, comforting dinner that doesn't require extensive cooking skills or complicated techniques.
• Protein-Packed Comfort Food: With an impressive 34 grams of protein per serving, this dish transforms traditional mac and cheese into a nutritionally balanced meal that keeps you feeling full and energized while delivering incredible taste and texture.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Streamline your cooking process by using a single skillet to create multiple layers of flavor, from crisping bacon to building a rich cheese sauce, which means minimal cleanup and maximum deliciousness with minimal effort.

What Goes in Chicken Bacon Mac & Cheese

• Macaroni Pasta: Classic pasta shape perfect for holding creamy cheese sauce.
• Broccoli Florets: Fresh green vegetable that adds nutrition and texture to the dish.
• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that provides substantial body to the meal.
• Bacon: Crispy meat that delivers rich, smoky flavor and additional protein.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty cheese creating the core of the creamy sauce.
• Milk: Smooth base for developing rich and velvety cheese sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid that enhances sauce depth and provides additional flavor.

• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer for the entire dish.
• Garlic Powder: Adds aromatic warmth and depth to the chicken and sauce.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates smooth roux and helps thicken the cheese sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds color and fresh flavor to the final dish.

How to Make Cheesy Mac with Broccoli & Bacon

Step 1: Prepare Pasta and Broccoli

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add broccoli florets. Drain pasta and broccoli, then set aside.

Step 2: Crisp Up Bacon

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chopped bacon until crispy and golden. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, keeping some bacon drippings in the skillet.

Step 3: Season and Cook Chicken

• Salt
• Garlic powder

Add seasoned chicken to the skillet with bacon drippings. Cook thoroughly for 5-7 minutes until fully done. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce Base

• Milk
• Chicken broth

Whisk continuously until the sauce smooths out and thickens.

Step 5: Melt Cheese Into Sauce

Reduce heat and add shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese melts completely, creating a rich and creamy sauce.

Step 6: Combine All Ingredients

• Cooked pasta
• Broccoli
• Chicken pieces
• Crispy bacon

Ensure everything is evenly coated with the cheese sauce.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Serve hot immediately. Optional: Sprinkle extra cheese or chopped parsley on top for additional flavor.

Chicken Broccoli Macaroni And Cheese With Bacon Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken broccoli macaroni and cheese elevates comfort classics with crispy bacon bits. Hearty pasta, tender chicken, and green broccoli florets combine in one irresistible skillet that promises a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) skinless chicken breasts (cut into ¼-inch pieces)
• 3 slices bacon (coarsely chopped)

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 6 ounces (170 grams) uncooked pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, or your choice)
• 3 cups fresh broccoli florets (pre-chopped)

Seasonings and Dairy:

• 5 ounces (142 grams) cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder (or minced garlic)
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook macaroni according to package instructions until it reaches a tender yet firm consistency. During the final 2-3 minutes of cooking, add broccoli florets directly to the boiling water. Drain the pasta and broccoli, then set aside.
2. In a spacious skillet heated to medium, render chopped bacon until golden and crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the flavorful bacon drippings in the pan.
3. Season chicken pieces with kosher salt and garlic powder. Sauté the seasoned chicken in the remaining bacon drippings until fully cooked and golden brown, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
4. Sprinkle flour into the pan drippings, whisking continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a smooth roux. Gradually pour in milk and chicken broth (236 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces each), stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer until the sauce thickens and becomes velvety.
5. Reduce heat and incorporate shredded cheddar cheese (226 grams or ) into the sauce. Stir until the cheese melts completely, creating a rich and creamy consistency.
6. Gently combine the cooked macaroni, broccoli, sautéed chicken, and crispy bacon into the cheese sauce. Ensure every ingredient is evenly coated with the luscious sauce.
7. Transfer to serving dishes immediately while piping hot. Optionally, garnish with additional shredded cheese or freshly chopped parsley for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

• Bacon becomes the secret flavor bomb, crisping up to golden perfection and leaving behind delectable drippings that infuse every bite with rich, smoky essence.
• Chicken gets a simple yet powerful seasoning treatment, transforming plain protein into a mouth-watering component that adds protein and depth to this comfort classic.
• Pasta and broccoli join forces during cooking, ensuring both reach ideal texture while saving time and minimizing dirty dishes.
• Roux-based sauce builds incredible complexity, using leftover bacon drippings to create a velvety foundation that elevates the entire mac and cheese experience.
• Cheese melts into liquid gold, binding all ingredients together and delivering that irresistible creamy consistency everyone craves in a ultimate comfort meal.
• Final dish promises a symphony of textures – crispy bacon, tender chicken, al dente pasta, and silky cheese sauce – making every forkful a delightful adventure.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 469 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 735mg
• Fat: 19g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 34g
• Cholesterol: 81mg