Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:
Chicken:
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts or 4 thighs
Salt and pepper to taste
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dried parsley
1 tbsp oil (divided)
Mac and Cheese:
2 tbsp butter
1 small yellow onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, finely diced
⅓ cup chicken broth
9 oz sun-dried tomatoes, sliced (reserve 2 tbsp oil)
3 tbsp flour
2 cups chicken broth
3 cups milk or cream, divided
2 tsp dried Italian herbs
10 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
3 cups baby spinach leaves
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
¾ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup cheddar or Gruyere cheese, grated
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
1️⃣ Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and dried parsley. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside. 🍗
2️⃣ In the same pot, melt butter, and cook onions and garlic until translucent. Pour in broth and reduce. Add sun-dried tomatoes and reserved oil, cooking for 1-2 minutes. 🧅🧄
3️⃣ Stir in flour and cook for another minute. Add remaining broth, 2 ½ cups of milk, herbs, salt, and pepper, and bring to a low simmer. 🍲
4️⃣ Add uncooked macaroni, stirring regularly until pasta is al dente and sauce thickens. Add spinach and cook until wilted. 🌾
5️⃣ Remove from heat, stir in cheeses until melted. If the sauce is too thick, add the remaining milk incrementally. Slice chicken and mix into pasta, garnishing with parsley. 🌿

Leave a Comment