Description
Cajun chicken mac and cheese is a delightful fusion of creamy pasta with a spicy kick that elevates classic comfort food. Tender, seasoned chicken melds beautifully with rich cheese sauce, creating a dish that’s perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in. Each bite bursts with flavor, making it an instant crowd-pleaser. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, this recipe will have your family and friends coming back for seconds!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (diced)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus extra for sautéing)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente; drain.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté diced chicken seasoned with Cajun spice until golden brown (6-8 minutes).
- In a separate saucepan, melt more butter over medium heat, stir in flour to create a roux, then gradually whisk in heavy cream until smooth.
- Stir shredded cheddar into the sauce until melted.
- Combine pasta, sautéed chicken, and cheese sauce in a baking dish; mix well.
- Top with breadcrumbs if desired and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 300g)
- Calories: 578
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 904mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 116mg