Adding raw chicken directly to mac and cheese creates natural gelatin that makes the sauce impossibly creamy without flour.
Creamy, Spicy Chicken Mac and Cheese
Indulge in a bowl of our zesty Chicken Mac and Cheese that’s ready in just 25 minutes! This dish combines tender chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and a kick of spices for a protein-packed meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping. Dive into comfort food bliss with just a few simple ingredients and a dash of culinary flair!
Prep
15
min
Cook
25
min
Serves
3
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 3🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- optional: cilantro or parsleyoptional
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 3-4 chicken breast, cubed (approx. 500g) (0.01-0.01 lb)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- 1/3 cup low fat cheese (cheddar or mozzarella) (79.2 ml)
- 1/3 cup light or fat free cream cheese (79.2 ml)
- 1 cup any milk (we used 1%) (240 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(2)
- 170g cooked macaroni (6 oz)
- 2 tsp olive oil (10 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano and garlic powder
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 3 tbsp any hot sauce (45 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Cook the chicken breast in olive oil, seasoning with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder.
- 2
In a separate pot, combine milk, cream cheese, and low fat cheese over low heat until thickened.
- 3
Add hot sauce and cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, mixing well.
- 4
Serve with optional cilantro or parsley on top.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cook chicken to exactly 165°F internal temperature, then let it rest 3 minutes before dicing - this prevents moisture loss that would create dry, rubbery pieces in your creamy sauce.timing165°F, 3 minutes rest
- ✓Heat your milk to 140-150°F before adding to cream cheese to prevent the proteins from seizing and creating a grainy texture instead of smooth emulsion.technique140-150°F
- ✓Add hot sauce after removing cheese sauce from heat because capsaicin compounds break down at high temperatures, reducing both heat level and flavor complexity.timing
- ✓Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta cooking water before draining - its 2-3% starch content helps bind the cheese sauce to pasta and prevents separation.technique1/2 cup, 2-3% starch
- ✓Keep cheese sauce temperature below 160°F once formed because higher heat causes proteins to coagulate and fat to separate, breaking your emulsion.techniqueBelow 160°F
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
25
min
Serves
3
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Adding raw chicken directly to mac and cheese creates natural gelatin that makes the sauce impossibly creamy without flour.
Creamy, Spicy Chicken Mac and Cheese
Indulge in a bowl of our zesty Chicken Mac and Cheese that’s ready in just 25 minutes! This dish combines tender chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and a kick of spices for a protein-packed meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping. Dive into comfort food bliss with just a few simple ingredients and a dash of culinary flair!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 3🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- optional: cilantro or parsleyoptional
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 3-4 chicken breast, cubed (approx. 500g) (0.01-0.01 lb)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- 1/3 cup low fat cheese (cheddar or mozzarella) (79.2 ml)
- 1/3 cup light or fat free cream cheese (79.2 ml)
- 1 cup any milk (we used 1%) (240 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(2)
- 170g cooked macaroni (6 oz)
- 2 tsp olive oil (10 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano and garlic powder
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 3 tbsp any hot sauce (45 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Cook the chicken breast in olive oil, seasoning with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder.
- 2
In a separate pot, combine milk, cream cheese, and low fat cheese over low heat until thickened.
- 3
Add hot sauce and cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, mixing well.
- 4
Serve with optional cilantro or parsley on top.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cook chicken to exactly 165°F internal temperature, then let it rest 3 minutes before dicing - this prevents moisture loss that would create dry, rubbery pieces in your creamy sauce.timing165°F, 3 minutes rest
- ✓Heat your milk to 140-150°F before adding to cream cheese to prevent the proteins from seizing and creating a grainy texture instead of smooth emulsion.technique140-150°F
- ✓Add hot sauce after removing cheese sauce from heat because capsaicin compounds break down at high temperatures, reducing both heat level and flavor complexity.timing
- ✓Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta cooking water before draining - its 2-3% starch content helps bind the cheese sauce to pasta and prevents separation.technique1/2 cup, 2-3% starch
- ✓Keep cheese sauce temperature below 160°F once formed because higher heat causes proteins to coagulate and fat to separate, breaking your emulsion.techniqueBelow 160°F