Chipotle Chicken Mac and Cheese with Bacon Bread Crumbs Rsc
Elevate comfort food to a whole new level with this indulgent Chipotle Chicken Mac and Cheese with Bacon Bread Crumbs! Creamy, gooey layers of sharp cheddar and Pepper Jack cheeses are spiced up with smoky chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, creating a bold and flavorful cheese sauce that coats tender macaroni and shredded chicken. Topped with a golden, crispy mixture of panko bread crumbs, crumbled bacon, and fresh parsley, this baked dish has the perfect crunch to complement its rich and luscious interior. Ready in under an hour, this crowd-pleasing mac and cheese recipe is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or whenever you're craving a little spice with your comfort food. Keywords: "chipotle mac and cheese," "bacon bread crumbs topping," "baked mac and cheese with chicken."
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Elbow macaroni
- 2 cups Chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 3 slices Cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 2 minutes to create a roux.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring consistently, until the mixture thickens slightly.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sharp cheddar cheese and Pepper Jack cheese until melted and smooth.
Add the chopped chipotle peppers, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Gently fold in the cooked macaroni and shredded chicken, ensuring everything is evenly coated in the cheese sauce.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the panko bread crumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the crumbled bacon and chopped parsley.
Sprinkle the bacon bread crumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese in the baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the top is crispy and the mac and cheese is bubbling around the edges.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
840 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 38.3 g | 49% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.2 g | 106% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 165 mg | 55% | |
| Sodium | 1070 mg | 47% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 69.7 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.3 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.0 g | ||
| Protein | 55.1 g | 110% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.2 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 575 mg | 44% | |
| Iron | 4.0 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 575 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
