"Want a flavorful twist on an old reliable ?? This classic stovetop mac and cheese is a one pot dish of tender macaroni in an flavor packed ultra creamy cheese sauce.
The best part about this recipe is that it’s ready in 30 minutes, and made entirely on the stovetop on one pan! Yes! The pasta cooks right in the sauce!"
Stove-top Chicken and Spinach loaded Mac n’ Cheese
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A Note from Feedfeed
This creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese is filled with three different types of cheeses and topped with chicken and crumbled bacon for an amped up version of the classic dish. The pasta cooks in the sauce which cuts back on cooking time to boot.
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Prep time: 10mins
Cook time: 30mins
Recipe Card
ingredients
- 5 slices bacon
- 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 1/3 cups chicken broth, divided
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 cup sun dried tomato slivers
- 4 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
- 3 teaspoons Italian herbs, divided
- 1 tablespoon rosemary
- 1 pound dried pasta
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup grated parmesan
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup cheddar, grated
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1
Season chicken breasts with 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon Italian herbs, and salt and pepper.
Step 2
In a large pot, fry bacon until crisp. Transfer bacon to a lined plate, reserving the drippings. Add the chicken to the same pan with the drippings and cook until golden brown on each side and no pink remains in the center (approximately 10-15 minutes depending on the size). Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
Step 3
To the same pan, add the butter, onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add 1/3 cup of broth and cook 3 minutes. Add the sun dried tomatoes and the flour and cook for a minute further, stirring to prevent the flour from burning. Add the remaining broth, milk, chili flakes, remaining Italian herbs, salt and pepper, and rosemary and bring to a simmer, whisking until thickened slightly.
Step 4
Add the pasta and stir occasionally as it comes to a simmer. Reduce to medium low and stir until the sauce thickens and the macaroni is just cooked (8-10 minutes). Add the cheeses and adjust seasoning. Add the spinach and cook until wilted.
Step 5
Remove from heat. Slice the chicken, crumble the bacon and stir both into pasta. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.