Chicken mac and cheese

Chicken mac and cheese

30 min
Get ready for a truly special comfort food with our chicken mac and cheese with broccoli and peas. This recipe combines cheese béchamel sauce, juicy chicken, broccoli, and peas, topped with a golden crust of melted mozzarella and cheddar. Perfect for family dinners or a midweek meal, this dish offers a delightful mix of flavours that elevate a familiar favourite.
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https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/chicken-mac-and-cheese/

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
  • Cook pasta in salted water in a large saucepan, following the instructions on the package. Add broccoli for the last 3 minutes of cooking.
  • Drain the pasta and broccoli and return it to the pan.
  • Add béchamel sauce with cheese, chicken, peas, and mustard. Stir gently to combine.
  • Pour the mac and cheese into a large ovenproof dish, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella & cheddar cheese mix.
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about chicken mac and cheese

Do you have questions before trying out this recipe? Below, we have compiled the most common questions and answers for you so you can make the perfect chicken mac and cheese.

What is the best way to store and reheat chicken mac and cheese?
To properly store chicken mac and cheese, first allow it to cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. For reheating on the stovetop, place the mac and cheese in a saucepan, add a splash of milk or cream, and warm over medium-low heat, stirring often. If using a microwave, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, stir in a little milk or cream, cover, and heat on medium power for 1-minute intervals, stirring between each. To reheat in the oven, preheat to 175 °C, transfer the mac and cheese to an oven-safe dish, mix in some milk or cream, cover with foil, and bake for 20–25 minutes.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Add it to the boiling pasta water as you would with fresh broccoli. However, to ensure it is perfectly tender, add it 1–2 minutes earlier than fresh broccoli, in other words, about 4–5 minutes before the pasta is done.
Can I cook chicken mac and cheese on the stovetop?
Yes, you can cook chicken mac and cheese on the stovetop. Follow the recipe for cooking the pasta and making the cheese sauce. Then, instead of pouring it into the ovenproof dish, let it stay in the pot. Sprinkle cheese mixes on top, cover the pot with a lid, and cook on low heat until the cheese blends into the pasta.

Ingredients

Dried rigatoni pasta
300 g
Broccoli, steamed
300 g
Bechamel sauce with cheese
500 ml
Chicken, diced and cooked (about 250 g)
2 cups
Peas, frozen (about 160 g)
1 cup
Wholegrain mustard
2 tsp
Shredded mozzarella & Arla® LactoFREE Cheddar mix (about 120 g)
2
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Tips: Make the best chicken mac and cheese

Make this family favourite with our straightforward tips. Keep reading below to get started right!

Save time with leftover chicken

Using leftover chicken is a fantastic time-saver for this recipe. Shred or dice roast chicken from the fridge, or grab a convenient rotisserie chicken from the store. Mix it into the sauce along with the pasta. It is a clever strategy for a quick family dinner, helping you make the most of leftover chicken from previous meals.

Prepare chicken mac and cheese ahead of time

Assemble your chicken mac and cheese early to make weekday mealtime or hosting guests easy. After pouring it into the ovenproof dish, store it in the fridge covered with cling film and aluminium foil. You can also store it in an airtight container. When it is time to eat, bake as usual, but add 5–10 minutes to the oven time since the dish is cold from the fridge.

Keep an eye on the oven

To ensure your mac and cheese turns out perfectly, monitor it closely while it bakes. If the cheese starts to brown too quickly, cover the dish loosely with aluminium foil to prevent burning. This simple step helps maintain a creamy, golden top without any burnt spots.

Try our tasty recipe for chicken mac and cheese

Get ready to indulge in a cheesy delight with our mac and cheese with chicken. It features vibrant colours from fresh vegetables and the creamy richness of a cheese béchamel sauce. Juicy, tender chicken pairs perfectly with a golden layer of melted mozzarella and cheddar. It both looks inviting and offers delightful flavours and textures that will quickly make it a beloved favourite.

Filled with savoury chicken and green vegetables

Our chicken mac and cheese is packed with savoury goodness from diced, cooked chicken and an assortment of delightful green vegetables. The chicken adds a satisfying element to the creamy dish, while steamed broccoli and peas bring a fresh touch. These bright green vegetables enhance the dish with their crisp texture and vibrant colours, making every bite truly enjoyable.

Covered in creamy béchamel sauce and topped with cheese

The star of this recipe is undoubtedly the creamy béchamel sauce infused with cheese. The velvety sauce envelops the pasta, chicken, and vegetables, creating a luscious base that is hard to resist. To make everything even better and cheesier, it is topped with a generous mix of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese. As it bakes, the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly crust, adding a delightful crunch to each serving. The result is deliciously creamy and cheesy, with a comforting warmth from mustard that makes it a perfect dish for any occasion.

Classic comfort food for the whole family

Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. It has it all, from al dente pasta and creamy sauce to loads of cheese that make it a beloved family favourite. With the addition of tender chicken and broccoli, it becomes even more delicious. It is almost a one-pot dish, making sure it is as hassle-free as it is tasty – perfect for serving guests, feeding a big family, or preparing on a busy day.

We have plenty of other comfort food ideas for you to enjoy. Try other recipes for Mediterranean pasta salad with salad cheese, spinach and ricotta lasagne, cheesy pasta with mozzarella, fried ravioli in tomato sauce, and cheesy harvest pasta with vegetables.

Experiment with the ingredients

Our mac and cheese recipe is very easy to experiment with. Infuse the béchamel sauce with fresh thyme, rosemary, and basil, adding a delightful aromatic flavour. You can also incorporate sautéed garlic and onions into the sauce. The golden onions and fragrant garlic meld beautifully with the creamy sauce, making each bite delightfully savoury.

Chicken is delicious, but you can also consider using minced beef, turkey, diced ham, or crispy bacon. Try other vegetables, too, stirring in spinach, diced tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms for an earthy undertone.

For a satisfying crunch on top, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese layer. This creates a golden, crispy topping to contrast the creamy mac and cheese beneath. Also, sprinkling paprika or chilli flakes on top before baking will add a subtle heat. If you want to make spicy mac and cheese, stir the chilli flakes into the sauce instead of sprinkling it on top.

Before serving, garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of herbaceous freshness and a bright green touch. When you serve it, finish with a dollop of sour cream. The tangy creaminess complements the rich béchamel sauce, rounding out the dish and adding a cooling touch.

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