Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with “Ultimate Comfort: Chicken Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon.” This hearty dish combines tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and smoky bacon with creamy, cheesy macaroni. Perfect for family dinners or a cozy night in, this mac and cheese is a satisfying and flavorful meal that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love Chicken Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon:
- Rich and Creamy: The cheese sauce is velvety and full of flavor.
- Hearty and Satisfying: A complete meal with protein, veggies, and carbs.
- Smoky Bacon: Adds a delicious savory and smoky note.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.
Ingredients Notes For Chicken Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon:
- Pasta: Elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta shape.
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed.
- Broccoli: Fresh or frozen, cut into small florets.
- Bacon: Cooked until crispy and crumbled.
- Cheese: A mix of cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan for rich flavor.
- Milk and Cream: For a creamy cheese sauce.
- Butter and Flour: To make the roux for the cheese sauce.
- Garlic: Minced for added flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
- Paprika: Optional, for a hint of smokiness.
Recipe Steps:
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet, cook 6 slices of bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, crumble the bacon and set aside. Reserve a bit of the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Cook the Chicken:
- In the same skillet with a bit of bacon fat, add 1 pound of cubed chicken. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Broccoli:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of heavy cream. Continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup of shredded Gruyère, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add a pinch of paprika if using, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine the Ingredients:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Gently mix until everything is well coated with the sauce.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm, garnished with extra cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Storage Options:
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
- Freeze: Freeze the unbaked mac and cheese in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed.
How to Make Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese with Bacon
This hearty dish combines tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and smoky bacon with creamy, cheesy macaroni. Perfect for family dinners or a cozy night in, this mac and cheese is a satisfying and flavorful meal that everyone will love.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta shape
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 pound chicken breast diced
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta and Broccoli:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Add the broccoli florets to the pot during the last 3 minutes of cooking.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken:
- In the same skillet, add the olive oil and diced chicken. Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high heat until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In the same pot used to cook the pasta, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, chicken, and crumbled bacon to the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish or similar-sized casserole dish.
- Sprinkle additional shredded cheese on top, if desired.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
