Spicy Chipotle Chicken Mac and Cheese
Spicy Chipotle Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni
- 6 ounces macaroni pasta
- water, for boiling, as needed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup pasta water, reserved
For the Chipotle Chicken
- 14 ounces chicken breast, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Chipotle Sauce
- 1 cup milk, any type
- 1/4 cup light cream cheese
- 1/4 cup chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
For Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, optional
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water, then add the macaroni pasta. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/3 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the cooked macaroni in a colander and set aside.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, season the chopped chicken breast with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Heat a large skillet or pan over high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Reduce the heat to low. To the same pan (do not clean it), add the milk, light cream cheese, and finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and the ingredients are well combined.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Simmer the sauce on low heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens to your desired consistency. This should take approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Return the cooked macaroni and chicken to the pan with the thickened chipotle sauce. Add the reserved 1/3 cup of pasta water. Mix everything together thoroughly until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Serve immediately. Optionally, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Chipotle Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni
- 6 ounces macaroni pasta
- water, for boiling, as needed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup pasta water, reserved
For the Chipotle Chicken
- 14 ounces chicken breast, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Chipotle Sauce
- 1 cup milk, any type
- 1/4 cup light cream cheese
- 1/4 cup chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
For Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, optional
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water, then add the macaroni pasta. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/3 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the cooked macaroni in a colander and set aside.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, season the chopped chicken breast with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Heat a large skillet or pan over high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Reduce the heat to low. To the same pan (do not clean it), add the milk, light cream cheese, and finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and the ingredients are well combined.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Simmer the sauce on low heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens to your desired consistency. This should take approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Return the cooked macaroni and chicken to the pan with the thickened chipotle sauce. Add the reserved 1/3 cup of pasta water. Mix everything together thoroughly until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Serve immediately. Optionally, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
⏱️ 1 min