Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe for Creamy Comfort

Comfort food reaches new heights when chicken broccoli mac and cheese comes to dinner, combining everything families crave in one satisfying dish.

Creamy, cheesy pasta serves as the foundation for a meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day.

Protein and vegetables team up in perfect harmony, making it easier to serve something nutritious that actually gets eaten without complaint.

Busy weeknights become less stressful when you have a dependable recipe that pleases everyone at the table while keeping prep simple and straightforward.

Leftovers taste just as good the next day, which makes meal planning throughout the week much more manageable.

One-dish dinners save time on cleanup, leaving more room for relaxation after mealtime winds down.

Put something truly satisfying on tonight's menu that delivers both flavor and substance in every bite.

What Makes Chicken Broccoli Mac And Cheese Easy To Enjoy

• One-Dish Dinner Solution: You get chicken, vegetables, and pasta all combined in one pot, so cleanup is straightforward and your family eats together without multiple plates to manage.
• Proteins That Actually Satisfy: The combination of chicken and bacon makes this filling enough that you don’t need side dishes, which keeps your meal planning and shopping list manageable.
• Vegetables Hidden In The Mix: Your kids eat broccoli without noticing it much because the cheese sauce and bacon make each bite tasty, so you’re covering their vegetable needs without resistance.
• Weeknight Cooking That’s Reasonable: Once you understand the basic steps, you can handle this without special skills, and the process flows naturally from one component to the next without complicated techniques getting in your way.

What Ingredients Will You Use in Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese

• 2 Pounds Chicken Breasts: Chicken provides the main protein and heartiness to this dish, which roasts at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• 6 Slices Bacon: Bacon adds a smoky, savory crunch that balances the creamy cheese sauce.

• 1 Pound Elbow Macaroni: Pasta serves as the base that holds everything together and absorbs the cheese sauce.
• 4 Tablespoons Butter: Butter creates a rich foundation for the cheese sauce.
• 1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour: Flour thickens the sauce and gives it a smooth consistency.
• 2 Cups Whole Milk: Milk creates the creamy base of the sauce.
• 3 Cups Cheddar Cheese, Shredded: Cheese melts into the sauce and delivers the sharp, tangy flavor that makes this dish special.

• 4 Cups Broccoli Florets: Broccoli adds fresh color, texture, and nutrition to balance the richness of the cheese.
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt, 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper: Seasonings enhance the natural flavors throughout the dish.

Kitchen Tools Used in Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese

• Large Baking Sheet: This is where your chicken breasts roast, so pick one that fits them comfortably without crowding.
• Meat Thermometer: Use this to check that your chicken reaches 165°F internally for food safety.
• Large Skillet: Your bacon cooks in this over medium heat until it reaches the crispiness you prefer.
• Large Pot: This becomes your main vessel for boiling the pasta and then making your cheese sauce.
• Colander: Drain your cooked macaroni through this to remove excess water before combining with other ingredients.
• Steamer Basket: Place your broccoli florets in this over boiling water to steam them until they’re tender-crisp.
• Whisk: This tool helps you blend the flour into melted butter smoothly and prevents lumps when you add the milk.
• Wooden Spoon Or Rubber Spatula: Use either one to fold all your components together gently at the end so nothing breaks apart.
• Measuring Cups And Spoons: Accurate measurements of butter, flour, milk, and cheese help your sauce turn out right every time.
• Cutting Board And Sharp Knife: These make it easier to dice your cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces that mix evenly throughout the dish.

Step By Step Preparation For Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese

What Helps When Cooking Chicken Broccoli Mac Cheese

• Check that your chicken reaches exactly 165°F inside to stay moist and safe to eat.
• Getting your bacon cooked and cooled before assembly means it stays crunchy instead of getting soggy in the final dish.
• Steam your florets for 5 to 7 minutes so they keep a little firmness and don’t turn mushy when mixed in.
• Whisk your milk in slowly while stirring the flour and butter mixture to prevent lumps from forming in your sauce.
• Fold all the components together carefully so your pasta stays intact and the bacon pieces distribute evenly throughout your dish.

Delicious Alternatives for Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese

• Creamy Bacon Mac And Cheese Without Chicken: Skip the roasted chicken entirely and increase the bacon to 8 slices so the smoky flavor becomes your main protein, giving you a rich and satisfying side dish that pairs well with roasted vegetables or a simple salad.
• Vegetarian Broccoli Mac And Cheese: Remove the chicken and bacon from the recipe, then add 2 cups of Sauteed mushrooms (cremini or button work great) and 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes to the cheese sauce for depth and texture that replaces the meat without losing substance.
• Lighter Milk-Free Version: Substitute the 2 cups of whole milk with 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth and 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt stirred in after removing the pot from heat, which keeps the sauce creamy while reducing the richness and cutting calories if that matters to your kitchen.
• Gluten-Free Mac And Cheese: Use gluten-free elbow pasta cooked to package directions and swap the all-purpose flour for cornstarch (use the same 1/4 cup amount), which thickens the sauce just as effectively without changing any other part of the recipe.

How Should Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese Be Presented

• Serve Four To Six People: This recipe makes enough for a family dinner with possibly one modest serving left over, so plan accordingly based on your household size.
• Pair With A Simple Green Salad: The richness of the mac and cheese balances nicely when you add a crisp salad with vinaigrette on the side to cut through the heaviness.
• Add Crusty Bread For Soaking: Serving this with garlic bread or toasted rolls gives your guests something to use for finishing every last bit of that creamy sauce.
• Finish With A Light Dessert: Since the main dish sits heavy in the stomach, consider ending the meal with fresh fruit or a small lemon cake rather than anything too dense.

How To Store Chicken Broccoli Mac And Cheese

• Store the finished mac and cheese in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it easy to reheat when your schedule gets busy.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months if you want to have ready-made meals on hand for those hectic weeknights.
• Keep your roasted chicken separate from the sauce before combining, and your bacon in its own sealed container, so you can use each component individually for other dishes throughout the week.
• Reheat your leftover mac and cheese gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk stirred in, which keeps the sauce creamy instead of dry when you serve it again.

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Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe

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• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Chicken broccoli macaroni and cheese with bacon brings together creamy pasta, tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and crispy bacon for a comforting dish that satisfies your hunger. Your family gets a hearty, all-in-one meal that tastes indulgent but comes together faster than you’d expect.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 pounds chicken breasts
• 6 slices bacon

Pasta and dairy:

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Vegetables and seasonings:

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Season 2 pounds of chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, then roast at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
2. While your chicken roasts, cook 6 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until crispy, then transfer to a paper towel to cool before crumbling.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 1 pound of elbow macaroni, cooking for 7 to 8 minutes according to package directions, then drain in a colander.
4. Place 4 cups of broccoli florets in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 5 to 7 minutes until the pieces become tender-crisp.
5. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a separate large pot over medium heat for about 1 minute.
6. Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour to your melted butter and stir constantly for 2 minutes until the mixture forms a smooth paste.
7. Slowly whisk in 2 cups of whole milk while stirring to keep lumps from forming, then simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until your sauce thickens.
8. Turn off the heat and add 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese to the pot, stirring until the cheese completely melts into your sauce.
9. Cut your cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces and combine it with the cheese sauce along with your drained pasta, steamed broccoli, and crumbled bacon, gently folding all components together until everything is evenly distributed.

Notes

• Cook your chicken breasts to exactly 165°F internally so they stay moist and tender rather than drying out from overcooking.
• Crumble the bacon while it’s still slightly warm for easier breaking into smaller pieces that distribute evenly throughout the dish.
• Whisk the milk in gradually to avoid lumps forming in your cheese sauce, which happens when cold milk hits hot flour too quickly.
• Fold all ingredients together gently at the end so your pasta and broccoli stay intact instead of breaking apart and creating a mushy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Roasted Chicken
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 650 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 50 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg