Easy Chicken Mac and Cheese with Broccoli and Bacon

Mac and cheese is a comfort food for literally anytime of the year. This easy chicken mac and cheese is made with broccoli and bacon and made with a creamy cheesy sauce. This will be your family’s new favorite meal!

This chicken mac and cheese is so addictive! Adding in the chicken to this mac and cheese makes it a whole meal and is much more satisfying than when eating regular mac and cheese. Combined with two kinds of cheeses, broccoli, and bacon. My husband can’t get enough of it!

If you have a hard time getting your toddlers to eat their broccoli then this is the perfect recipe to give them. My toddler loves this mac and cheese and so do I!

I made this creamy mac and cheese with mild cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese mixed with whole milk for extra creaminess. This mac and cheese will surely be a meal you’ll want to make every week.

This post is all about easy chicken mac and cheese with broccoli and bacon.

Chicken Mac and Cheese

Ingredients For Chicken Mac and Cheese

• 2 tablespoons salted butter: I use salted butter to add just the right amount of saltiness to this mac and cheese
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch: using cornstarch allows for the perfect roux.
• 2 cups whole milk: whole milk makes this mac and cheese even more creamy rather than when using skim milk or 2% milk.
• 1 tablespoon crushed pepper: Pepper is an easy way to add some flavor.
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese adds just the right amount of tangy flavor. Use your favorite combination of cheeses to make this recipe even better.
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella cheese brings a creamy and gooey texture.
• 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles: Elbow macaroni noodles are a classic when it comes to making mac and cheese. Use your favorite noodles to make this recipe even better.
• 1 cup broccoli: Adding broccoli into your mac and cheese adds nutrients that wouldn’t normally be in mac and cheese. If your toddler is refusing to eat their veggies try this broccoli mac and cheese. Your toddler will love broccoli after eating this mac and cheese.
• 1 cup shredded chicken: Mixing chicken in with your mac n cheese not only adds a great source of protein but also adds even more flavor to your mac and cheese.
• 1 cup crushed bacon: Adding bacon adds a little crunch to the texture.

How To Make Chicken Mac and cheese

If you’re looking for an easy mac and cheese recipe that doesn’t require a lot of time to make, then this recipe is for you. This mac and cheese takes a total of 45 minutes to make. Including prep and cook time. Making for a quick dinner idea for those busy nights.

• Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to boxed instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to keep the pasta from sticking together. Set aside.
• In a large sauce pan over medium heat completely melt the butter, then add the cornstarch to make the roux. Wisk until the cornstarch and butter are combined 1-2 minutes. It should look golden.
• Slowly mix in the milk and season with pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to low and simmer, whisking every couple minutes until the mixture is thick and creamy. About 5 minutes.
• Stir in the cheese and fold in the pasta, chicken, broccoli, and bacon. Mix until well combined. Serve immediately.

@brianne_fry

Easy Chicken Mac and Cheese with Broccoli and Bacon 🍽 Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 cups whole milk 1 tablespoons crushed pepper 2 cups shredded cheese 1 cup mozzarella cheese 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles 1 cup shredded chicken 1 cup crushed bacon How to make: 1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to boxed instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to keep the pasta from sticking together. Set aside. 2. In a large sauce pan over medium heat completely melt the butter, then add the cornstarch to make the roux. Wisk until the cornstarch and butter are combined 1-2 minutes. It should look golden. 3. Slowly mix in the milk and season with pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to low and simmer, whisking every couple minutes until the mixture is thick and creamy. About 5 minutes. 4. Stir in the cheese and fold in the pasta, chicken, broccoli, and bacon. Mix until well combined. Serve immediately. #fyp #blogger #foodblogger #recipes #macandcheese

♬ You Make My Dreams (Come True) – Daryl Hall & John Oates

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Tips and Variations for Chicken Mac and Cheese

• Grate your own cheese. Grating your own cheese makes the process for melting the cheese much easier. Store bought pre shredded cheese just doesn’t melt as well as when you grate your own cheese.
• Prep ahead of time. If you’re cooking for a party and want to have things prepped ahead of time or simply want to make it easier to make this mac and cheese for dinner, cook all your ingredients the day of and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
• Melt the cheese slow. This might seem like a pain, but your mac and cheese will turn out best if you melt your cheese slowly. If the cheese is added in to quickly or is cooked on to high of a temperature it will form clumps and won’t allow for a smooth and creamy texture. And we definitely don’t want that!
• Substitute. Combine your favorite cheeses, use ham instead of bacon, or add spicy seasoning to make this recipe everything you love and more.

Salads That Pair Well with Chicken Mac and Cheese

Although this recipe is great on its own, it’s always nice to have some ideas on things that can be served along with it. Salads are a great side dish to pair with this easy chicken mac and cheese.

• Caprese salad.
• Cobb salad.
• Ceaser salad
• Greek salad

These are just a few salads that would pair well with this creamy chicken and broccoli mac and cheese

Why I Think You’ll Love This Chicken Mac and Cheese

• Adding the chicken and broccoli into this mac and cheese makes for a full meal. Instead of just eating noodles and cheese you’re also getting some protein and fiber.
• This meal is so easy to prep the ingredients ahead of time allowing for an even easier dinner time.
• Easily substitute ingredients. Use your favorite cheeses or use ham instead of bacon. Use another type of milk if you don’t prefer or can’t drink whole milk.
• This mac and cheese is toddler friendly and is great for any toddler who isn’t a big fan of veggies. After trying this broccoli mac and cheese your toddler will have a new favorite vegetable that they’ll want to have all the time.

This post was all about easy chicken mac and cheese with broccoli and bacon.