Description
Comforting chicken ranch macaroni and cheese brings hearty midwest flavors to your dinner table. Rich, creamy sauce embraces tender pasta and juicy chicken, delivering a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 1 package (about 2 tablespoons) dry ranch seasoning
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the ranch-seasoned chicken by thoroughly coating it in the spice blend, ensuring even coverage.
- Sear the chicken in a sizzling skillet with olive oil, cooking each side until a golden-brown crust forms and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a foil-covered plate to retain warmth and moisture.
- Clean the skillet to create a fresh surface for the cheese sauce.
- Melt butter in the skillet, creating a smooth base for the roux.
- Sprinkle flour into the melted butter, whisking continuously until the mixture transforms into a light caramel-colored paste.
- Gradually stream warm milk into the roux, maintaining a constant whisking motion to prevent lumps.
- Simmer the sauce, stirring consistently until it thickens and reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Infuse the sauce with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and salt, stirring to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Incorporate the cheeses, gently folding until they melt into a creamy, smooth sauce.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring each noodle is generously coated.
- Layer the ranch-seasoned chicken atop the mac and cheese.
- Garnish with crispy bacon bits and freshly chopped parsley for added texture and flavor.
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, creating a perfectly balanced dish.
Notes
- Prevent clumping by gradually adding milk while whisking consistently to create a smooth, silky cheese sauce.
- Ensure chicken reaches perfect doneness by using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature, avoiding overcooking which can make meat tough.
- Toast flour briefly to eliminate raw flour taste and develop rich, nutty undertones in the sauce, enhancing overall flavor complexity.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or gruyère to customize the dish’s taste profile and add depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg