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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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