Cajun Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe

The Cajun Chicken Mac And Cheese recipe are one of my favorite recipes. This spicy pasta dish is delicious and has a great amount of flavor. Chicken, cheese, bread, and bread all wrapped up in a delicious bite-sized package.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings

Ingredients

Chicken

1.5 pounds Chicken breasts or tenders (cubed)
2 tablespoons Olive oil light tasting
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

Mac N’ Cheese

8 oz elbow or shell pasta uncooked
3 tablespoons Butter
2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Onion powder
1 teaspoon Garlic powder
2 cups Milk
½ cup Chicken broth with low sodium or pasta water
2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese shredded
4 oz cream cheese or Velveeta Cheese
¾ teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Black pepper fresh ground
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

Topping

½ cup Panko bread crumbs plain
2 tablespoons Butter
½ cup Sharp cheddar cheese shredded (for the topping)
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (low or nonsodium)

Instructions

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
To prepare al dente pasta, cook it according to the package instructions. Using an oven-safe skillet, pan-sear the chicken until golden brown on the outside. The set aside. Using a paper towel, gently wipe the skillet to remove leftover liquids.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Add the Panko crumbs and Cajun seasoning to the melted butter over medium heat. Remove from heat once it's "lightly" golden. Set aside.
Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Mix in the flour with the butter. Combine well to make a smooth paste.
Add the milk, chicken broth, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and Cajun seasoning. On medium heat, mix and simmer until the sauce thickens.
Melt the cream cheese and add it to the cheese. Once the cheddar cheese melts, add it to the sauce and stir it until it becomes smooth and creamy.
Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the cheese sauce and stir well to coat. Turn off the heat and remove the skillet. Add 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese and sprinkle with panko crumbs.
Place the skillet in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden brown.
Immediately remove and serve. Add some fresh pepper flakes and parsley to garnish.

Keyword Cajun Chicken Mac And Cheese