Is there anything more comforting than a big bowl of mac and cheese? That creamy, cheesy goodness is hard to beat. But sometimes, adding chicken to the mix can be a recipe for disaster – ending up with soggy, unappetizing chicken. But fear not! I’ve cracked the code to achieving the ultimate Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese, where the chicken stays perfectly crisp even when nestled amongst all that cheesy deliciousness. Get ready to say goodbye to soggy chicken and hello to mac and cheese perfection!
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese
This isn’t your average mac and cheese. Here’s why this recipe is a winner:
- Crispy Chicken, Guaranteed: The secret’s in the breading and cooking method!
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Creamy, cheesy, and satisfying – everything you crave in a comfort meal.
- Easy to Make: It’s simpler than you think, with straightforward steps.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any gathering.
- Elevated Mac and Cheese: Takes classic mac and cheese to a whole new level.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s talk about the ingredients. The key to this recipe is a balance of creamy, cheesy flavors and crispy, savory chicken. The quality of your ingredients will make a difference, so choose wisely! The combination of these elements will have your tastebuds thanking you!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- For the Mac and Cheese Base:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni: Elbow macaroni is a classic choice for mac and cheese, but feel free to experiment with other shapes like shells or cavatappi.
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided: We’ll use butter both in the cheese sauce and for cooking the chicken. Butter adds richness and flavor to both components of the dish.
- ½ cup all-purpose flour: This is the thickening agent for our creamy cheese sauce. It creates a roux when combined with butter.
- 3 cups milk: Whole milk will give you the richest and creamiest sauce, but you can use 2% if you prefer.
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided: Cheddar is the star of the show here, providing that classic mac and cheese flavor. Feel free to use a blend of sharp and mild cheddar for a more complex flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor of the cheese sauce.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a touch of spice to balance the richness of the cheese.
- For the Crispy Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces: Using bite-sized pieces ensures that the chicken cooks quickly and evenly.
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs: Panko bread crumbs are the secret to achieving extra-crispy chicken. Their larger size and airy texture create a superior crunch compared to regular bread crumbs.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a savory, aromatic flavor to the chicken breading.
- 1 teaspoon paprika: Contributes a smoky, slightly sweet flavor and a beautiful color to the chicken.
- To Finish:
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley: Adds a pop of freshness and color to the finished dish.
Crafting Your Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese: Step-by-Step
Now for the fun part! This recipe might seem like it has a few steps, but I promise it’s totally manageable. The key is to take it one step at a time and focus on getting each element just right. Let’s start building the perfect Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese!
- Cook the Macaroni: Start by cooking the elbow macaroni according to the package directions. Make sure not to overcook it, as it will continue to cook slightly in the cheese sauce. Drain the macaroni well and set it aside. This step is crucial to prevent soggy mac and cheese!
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce (The Roux): This is where the magic happens! In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. This creates a roux, which is the base of our cheese sauce. Cooking the flour ensures that the sauce won’t have a floury taste.
- Create the Creamy Base: Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it has thickened slightly. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Don’t rush this step; patience is key to a creamy, smooth sauce.
- Incorporate the Cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 3 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and glossy. Using high-quality cheddar is important here for the best flavor and meltability.
- Prepare the Crispy Chicken Breading: While the cheese sauce is simmering, prepare the chicken breading. In a separate bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed. This flavorful breading is what gives our chicken its signature crispiness.
- Bread the Chicken: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip each piece of chicken in the melted butter, then dredge it in the panko mixture, pressing gently to coat thoroughly. The butter helps the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken and adds extra flavor.
- Cook the Chicken to Crispy Perfection: Cook the chicken in the skillet until it’s golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Chef’s Tip: Ensure you cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and steaming the chicken instead of browning. Overcrowding lowers the pan temperature, leading to less-than-crispy results.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently to combine, ensuring that all the macaroni is coated in the creamy cheese sauce.
- Assemble and Finish: Top the mac and cheese with the crispy chicken pieces. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and fresh parsley.
- Serve Immediately: For the best experience, serve your Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese immediately while the chicken is still hot and crispy and the cheese is melted and gooey. Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese Every Time
Want to make sure your Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese turns out perfectly every single time? Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:
- Don’t Overcook the Macaroni: Overcooked macaroni will become mushy and can make the mac and cheese soggy. Cook it al dente, which means “to the tooth” in Italian – it should be slightly firm.
- Use High-Quality Cheese: The flavor of the cheese is crucial to the overall taste of the mac and cheese. Choose a good-quality cheddar cheese for the best results. You can also experiment with other cheeses like Gruyere or Monterey Jack for a more complex flavor.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking the chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will lower the pan temperature and prevent the chicken from browning properly. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
- Keep the Chicken Warm: If you’re not serving the mac and cheese immediately, keep the chicken warm in a preheated oven (around 200°F) to maintain its crispiness.
- Add a Touch of Spice: For a little extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
What to Serve With Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese
While this Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese is a complete meal on its own, here are a few sides that would complement it perfectly:
- Steamed Broccoli: Adds a healthy dose of greens and a nice contrast to the richness of the mac and cheese.
- A Simple Salad: A light, refreshing salad with a vinaigrette dressing can help balance the heaviness of the mac and cheese.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus are a delicious and healthy side dish.
- Consider adding some roasted sweet potatoes as well for some additional nutrition, similar to the flavors found in our Roasted Sweet Potato Chicken Power Bowl Recipe.
Your Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese Questions Answered (FAQ)
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! While cheddar is a classic choice, you can experiment with other cheeses like Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or even a smoked Gouda for a unique flavor. Just make sure the cheese melts well.
Can I make this ahead of time?
While it’s best served fresh, you can prepare the mac and cheese sauce and cook the chicken separately ahead of time. Store them in the refrigerator and combine them just before serving. However, note that the chicken may lose some of its crispiness if stored for too long.
Can I freeze this?
Freezing mac and cheese can affect the texture of the sauce, making it slightly grainy. However, you can freeze it if necessary. For optimal results, freeze the mac and cheese without the chicken. Cook the chicken fresh when you’re ready to serve.
How do I prevent the cheese sauce from becoming grainy?
To prevent a grainy cheese sauce, use freshly grated cheese (pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose, which can affect melting), and don’t overheat the sauce. Also, be sure to remove the saucepan from the heat before adding the cheese.
My chicken isn’t as crispy as I’d like. What can I do?
Make sure you’re using panko bread crumbs, as they provide the best crispiness. Also, ensure that the chicken is cooked in a single layer in the skillet and that the pan is hot enough. If necessary, you can broil the chicken for a minute or two at the end to crisp it up further.
For more ideas on getting chicken perfectly crispy, have a look at our recipe for the Ultimate Crispy Chicken Sandwich. The same principles apply!
Enjoy Your Homemade Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese!
There you have it – a recipe for Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite. The combination of creamy, cheesy macaroni and perfectly crispy chicken is simply irresistible. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and prepare to enjoy a bowl of pure comfort food bliss! Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out. Happy cooking!
Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese (Say Goodbye to Soggy!)
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions
- Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- While the macaroni is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip each piece of chicken in the melted butter, then dredge in the panko mixture, pressing to coat.
- Cook the chicken in the skillet until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. *Chef’s Tip: Ensure chicken is cooked in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and steaming the chicken instead of browning.*
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Top the mac and cheese with the crispy chicken pieces.
- Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately.