Spicy Baked Mac and Cheese with Chicken

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A little spicy and really easy pasta recipe made with macaroni, chicken, and a cheesy béchamel sauce. Mike and I loved this Spicy Baked Mac and Cheese with Chicken recipe. I have been exploring a little bit more with some cream sauces like my Easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce and knew I needed to perfect a good Mac and cheese recipe to share with you all!

This easy pasta recipe is extremely delicious and, because it’s so cheesy, is bound to appeal to the the entire family. If they don’t like the spicy aspect skip out on the jalapeno and add whatever you would like- or even some vegetables!

This spicy mac and cheese with chicken recipe can be prepared a head of time and then popped into the oven when ready to serve.

Can you freeze this baked mac and cheese?

Yes! You can even make this mac and cheese accordingly to instructions and freeze the entire dish or in aluminum foil pans and cook from frozen! So it is great for now, later, or to take to a friend or family when in need. Or if you have a ton of leftovers- you can freeze in individual portions to reheat for a quick lunch!

How to make this Spicy Baked Mac and Cheese with Chicken

First we start by cooking up the chicken with some peppers and onions.

Next you are going to add in the salt, chili powder, and some chili sauce (Siracha or similar). Cook the chicken a little longer until coated in the seasoning and sauces. Set this mixture aside into a bowl.

How to make béchamel sauce

In the same sauté pan, melt your butter over low heat. Slowly whisk in the flour and continue to whisk and cook over low heat. Cook the chicken until there are no longer lumps from the flour. Then once the butter /flour is smooth, slowly whisk in the milk a little at at a time. Continuously stirring and cooking the milk over low heat.

Let this sauce simmer on low for about 7-8 minutes, stirring. In the meantime, boil your macaroni noodles and drain. Once the sauce has thickened, stir in some salt, pepper, chili seasoning, and one cup of cheddar cheese.

Once mixed well, turn off the heat and add in chicken mixture and cooked macaroni.

Pour into a 9×13 baking dish.

Then add more cheese and crushed crackers on top.

When ready to cook, bake for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees until heated throughout and cheese is melted. I had made mine earlier the day and cooked from cold so went longer until hot and melty.

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Spicy Baked Mac and Cheese with Chicken

This homemade mac and cheese recipe is cooked with a spicy chicken mixture and a creamy béchamel sauce.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Ingredients

  

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1/2 red bell pepper diced
• 1 jalapeno diced
• 1/2 onion chopped
• 2 teaspoons chili sauce Sriarcha or similar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder divided
• 2 cups milk
• 1 stick butter
• 1 tbsp flour
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 cups macaroni (Dry) cooked according to package
• 10 Crackers crushed

Instructions

 

• Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan.
• Add the onions, peppers, and chicken and cook until chicken is no longer pink and veggies are soft and fragrant.
• Add salt (to taste), 1/2 tsp of chili powder, and chili sauce and cook for about 2-3 minutes until all the chicken is coated.
• Switch the heat off and set aside.

Directions for Béchamel Sauce:

• Melt the butter over low heat.
• As soon as the butter melts, slowly add the flour and whisk until smooth and there are no longer any lumps.
• Now add the milk very slowly and stir again very vigorously.
• Continue to slowly add the milk as you whisk.
• Let the sauce cook and simmer for 7-8 minutes or until it becomes thick. Don't forget to stir, and don't let it boil over.
• Add a little salt, pepper, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and 1/2 tsp chili powder while it's cooking.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the chicken mixture and cooked macaroni.
• Pour pasta into a sprayed 9×13 baking dish .
• Top with 1 cup of cheese and crushed crackers.
• Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and crackers are browned.

Notes

** If preparing a head, refrigerate then bake a little longer until hot throughout.

**If freezing, cook according to instructions and BEFORE baking- cover with foil and freeze.  Thaw and bake or can bake from frozen, too! 

Keyword Baked mac and cheese, Chicken, Mac and Cheese, spicy

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