Grandma, Grandma, Grandma, what have you done?! This Mac N’ Chicken Bake is from a page right out of our childhood, but with an adult-cheese update! All the melted Gouda cheese-covered macaroni, juicy chicken, sweet peas and carrots you could ever dream of, to take you right back to Saturday nights at Grandma’s. So, grab a spoonful of your younger days gone by and make this Mac N’ Chicken Bake while you sit down and reminisce about those carefree days. It will definitely be a delicious journey! Thanks Grandma!
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, plus more, to taste, for greasing the dish
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni or small pasta shells
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces smoked Gouda cheese, shredded or cut into small pieces
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, optional, chopped
- 1 1/2-2 cups chicken, cooked and cubed
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas and carrots, thawed, drained
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Using the extra butter, grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
Step 3 –In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the macaroni to al dente, according to the package directions. Drain the macaroni, transfer it to a large bowl, and set it aside.
Step 4 –In a saucepan, add 3 tablespoons of the butter and melt it over medium-low heat.
Step 5 –Add the flour to the melted butter and cook, stirring continually until the flour is well-blended, about 2 minutes.
Step 6 –Gradually add the chicken broth and the heavy cream to the flour mixture and stir to combine.
Step 7 –Add the Gouda cheese to the sauce mixture, stirring continually, until melted and smooth.
Step 8 –Add the salt, the black pepper, and the parsley to the sauce mixture, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened.
Step 9 –Add the chicken and the peas and carrots to the sauce mixture, stirring to combine, and cook, for about 1 minute.
Step 10 –Add the sauce mixture to the macaroni and stir well to combine.
Step 11 –Transfer the macaroni mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Step 12 –In a small microwave-safe dish, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and microwave until it is melted.
Step 13 –Add the breadcrumbs to the melted butter and toss to combine well.
Step 14 –Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the macaroni mixture.
Step 15 –Bake, uncovered, until bubbly and browned, for about 25 minutes.
Step 16 –Plate and serve.
