Description
This Crispy Chicken Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food with a high-protein twist! Juicy, golden-crusted chicken breasts sit atop creamy, cheesy macaroni, making this a quick, indulgent dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor or nutrition. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
Scale
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For the Chicken:
- 2 x 100g uncooked chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg, beaten
- 30g panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Oil spray
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For the Mac & Cheese:
- 100g uncooked macaroni
- 200ml low-fat milk
- 30g light cream cheese
- 1 tsp mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 10g mozzarella, shredded
- 40g cheddar cheese, shredded
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For Garnish:
- 1 tsp parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken:
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cover with baking paper and flatten using a mallet or rolling pin.
- Dip chicken into the beaten egg.
- Mix panko breadcrumbs with paprika and garlic powder, then coat the chicken. Spray with oil.
- Air fry at 180°C (356°F) for 20 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
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Cook the Pasta:
- Boil macaroni in salted water for 8–10 minutes until al dente. Drain and reserve some pasta water.
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Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, simmer the milk. Add cream cheese, mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk continuously.
- Add 100ml of reserved pasta water to the pan. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the macaroni, and if needed, add a little more pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Mix in mozzarella.
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Grill the Mac & Cheese:
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Grill for 5–8 minutes until bubbling and golden brown.
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Assemble and Serve:
- Divide mac and cheese into two portions. Slice the crispy chicken and place on top. Garnish with grated Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Experiment with adding your favorite veggies like broccoli or spinach for extra nutrients.
- Use the oven if you don’t have an air fryer; bake at 200°C (392°F) for 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 542 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 53g
- Cholesterol: 125mg