Four creamy cheeses envelope tender macaroni, savory chicken and crisp bacon to create the ultimate comfort food – Chicken, Bacon and Blue Macaroni and Cheese!
Prep Time10mins
Cook Time45mins
Total Time55mins
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blue cheese macaroni, chicken macaroni and cheese
Servings: 4servings
Calories: 813kcal
Author: Kristin
Ingredients
1boneless skinless chicken breast
Salt and pepperto taste
5slicesbacon
8ounceslarge elbow macaroni
2tablespoonsbutter
2tablespoonsflour
1 1/2cupnonfat milk
1/2cupheavy cream
1cupfreshly shredded cheddar cheese
1/2cupfreshly shredded pepper jack cheese
4slicesAmerican cheese
3tablespoonblue cheesedivided
1tablespoonbuttermelted
3tablespoonsPanko breadcrumbs
1 1/2tablespoonsgrated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Combine melted butter with breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
Meanwhile, cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces and cook in a medium size skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
While bacon is cooking, cut chicken into 1 inch pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Wipe some of the bacon grease out of the skillet and cook chicken pieces in a single layer until no longer pink, turning once. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Cut chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces if desired.
In a medium sized pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook until the mixture is fragrant and is beginning to lightly brown. Turn heat to medium-low, whisk in milk and cream and simmer until thickened; about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheeses (except blue cheese) until smooth. Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until
completely coated. Stir in bacon (reserve a tablespoon or so for topping), half of the blue cheese and the chicken pieces.
Spray a baking dish (I used 11"x7") with cooking spray. Pour macaroni and cheese mixture into the dish. Top with reserved bacon pieces, blue cheese, and breadcrumb mixture.
Bake in the 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes, or until topping is golden brown.
Notes
Feel free to serve this before baking as a creamy stovetop version.