Can I substitute leftovers for an ingredient in a recipe I want to make? Can I serve this meal in a variety of ways? Is it doable to make this on a weeknight, or can I change it a bit to make it special for a weekend dinner party? When it comes to this Easy Chicken Mac and Cheese, the answer to all of those questions is “yes!” We make this recipe frequently at my house because it’s so flexible and delicious. My kiddos like it right out of the pot—it’s so creamy and cheesy! Meanwhile, my wife and I usually like it dressed up a bit, either by adding a handful of crispy breadcrumbs as a topper over each bowl for a little texture, or by mixing in some roasted veggies. The leftovers also reheat well. Add a splash of milk and heat it in a pan over low heat until it’s melted and creamy again, or microwave to reheat.
What to Serve on the Side!
Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan Cucumber Salad with Grapes and Almonds Roasted Zucchini with Garlic Caesar Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing Roasted Cauliflower
Oven-baking instructions: If you’d prefer a casserole-style mac and cheese, you can transfer the contents to an 8x8 baking dish, top it with breadcrumbs, and bake it at 350°F for 20 minutes. This is a great option if you want to make the dish in advance.
8 ounces dry macaroni 1/2 onion sweet onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup unsalted butter 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups whole or 2% milk 2 cups grated cheddar cheese 1 teaspoon dried mustard(optional) 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (See Recipe Note) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Crispy Breadcrumbs:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, such as panko
Once all the milk is added, stir in the grated cheese and mustard. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the cheese has melted. Melt the butter in a small skillet over low heat. Stir in the breadcrumbs until well combined. Continue to stir over low heat until the breadcrumbs are browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. Breadcrumbs can also be toasted ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.
