Chicken Mac and Cheese

Chicken breasts add extra protein to this favorite pasta casserole recipe.


Chicken Mac and Cheese

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Ingredients
  • 1 pound
    skinless, boneless, chicken breast halves
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  • 1 to 2 teaspoon
    dried Italian seasoning, crushed
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  •  
    Salt and ground black pepper
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  • 1 tablespoon
    olive oil
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  • 8 ounces
    dried mostaccioli, ziti, or penne pasta
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  • 1 medium
    onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
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  • 2 cloves
    garlic, minced
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  • 3 tablespoons
    butter
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  • 3 tablespoons
    all-purpose flour
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  • 2 tablespoons
    tomato paste
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  • 3 cups
    milk
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  • 8 ounces
    smoked cheddar, Gruyere, or Swiss cheese, shredded (2 cups)
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  •  
    Salt and ground black pepper
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  • 2 cups
    soft sourdough or French bread crumbs
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  • 2 ounces
    finely shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese (1/2 cup)
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  • 3 tablespoons
    butter, melted
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Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a large skillet cook chicken, Italian or desired seasoning blend, salt, and pepper in hot oil over medium heat until chicken is no longer pink.* Remove chicken from skillet; set aside.
2.
In a large pot or kettle cook pasta according to package directions until just tender. Drain; return pasta to pot.
3.
Meanwhile, in the same skillet in which chicken was cooked, cook onion and garlic in 3 tablespoons hot butter over medium heat until tender. Stir in flour until well combined. Stir in tomato paste. Add milk. Cook and stir until mixture is thickened and bubbly; reduce heat. Add the shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is almost melted. Remove from heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add sauce and chicken to cooked pasta in pot; stir to coat. Spoon mixture into a 2-quart square or rectangular baking dish.
4.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl stir together bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and 3 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle crumb mixture over pasta mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes or until crumb mixture is golden and edges are bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings.

Cooking Club Directions
Prepare casserole as above for each member, except divide the bread crumb mixture into small resealable plastic bags or moisture- and vapor-proof plastic freezer bags. Do not bake. Cover pans with foil to refrigerate, or wrap with moisture- and vapor-proof wrap to freeze. Refrigerate up to 24 hours or freeze casserole and bread crumb mixture up to 1 month.

Test Kitchen Tip
Use a blender or food processor to make soft breadcrumbs. About 1-1/2 ounces of break makes 1 cup of crumbs.

Reheating and Serving
Thaw casserole, if frozen, and bread crumb mixture in refrigerator overnight. Bake refrigerated or thawed casserole, covered with foil, in a 350 degrees F oven for 20 minutes. Uncover and top with bread crumb mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes more or until crumb mixture is golden and edges are bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition information
Per serving: Calories 675, Total Fat 34 g, Saturated Fat 18 g, Monounsaturated Fat 12 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 132 mg, Sodium 771 mg, Carbohydrate 49 g, Total Sugar 8 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 42 g. Daily Values: Vitamin C 4%, Calcium 55%, Iron 16%. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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