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Chicken Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Chicken-Bacon Macaroni and Cheese


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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Brandie Valenzuela

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked & cubed chicken
  • 1216 ounces bacon (cut into small pieces & cooked)
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup stick butter (1/2)
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/2 pound extra sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
  • 1 pound Monterey Jack cheese (divided and shredded)
  • 6 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 tablespoons butter (melted)

Instructions

  1. Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain well, and place pasta in a layer in the bottom of the large casserole dish. Top pasta with cubed chicken and bacon pieces.
  2. While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk flour into the melted butter, so that both are fully mixed together and smooth. Continue to whisk, cooking the flour and butter, for approximately 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk so that it is smooth and fully incorporated with the flour/butter mixture. Add in salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard. Keep whisking, fairly constantly, until mixture is starting to simmer and thickening. Reduce heat to low and whisk in cheddar cheese. When cheddar cheese is fully melted, turn off heat, and whisk in 1/2 lb of Monterey Jack. Whisk until complete melted.
  3. Pour cheese sauce directly over the pasta, chicken and bacon that is in the large casserole pan. Gently stir ingredients together until well combined. Sprinkle with remaining Monterey Jack cheese.
  4. In a small bowl, mix melted 3 tablespoons butter with Panko. Sprinkle evenly on top of macaroni and cheese.
  5. Baked at 375 degrees F for approximately 30 minutes, or until breadcrumbs are browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-10 before serving.

Notes

–For the chicken I used, I boiled 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts for my cubed chicken, which gave me about 4 cups. This will vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts you use.

–Since bacon packages vary so much, I don’t list a specific size. I buy one package, however, sometimes they are 12 oz and sometimes 16 oz.

–If you prefer, you can skip the melted butter for the Panko. Simply sprinkle Panko on top of the macaroni and cheese and spray the top lightly with cooking spray. It will brown differently, but I often do this.

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
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