Crispy Chicken Cajun Mac and Cheese
Crispy Chicken Cajun Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 3 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, sharp or medium
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning, plus more for chicken
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Crispy Cajun Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Topping
- 1 1/2 cups cornflakes, crushed
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
In a large bowl, toss the cubed chicken breasts with 1 1/2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and 1 tablespoon of olive oil until evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Cook the chicken: You can either air fry or pan-fry. For air frying, place chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until crispy and cooked through. For pan-frying, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375
- 5
Prepare the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Gradually whisk in the 3 cups of milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens slightly (about 5-7 minutes).
⏱️ 7 min
- 7
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Combine the cooked macaroni and the crispy Cajun chicken with the cheese sauce in the saucepan. Stir until everything is well coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
For the topping, combine the crushed cornflakes with 2 tablespoons of melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 11
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 12
Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Chicken Cajun Mac and Cheese
For the Macaroni and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 3 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, sharp or medium
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning, plus more for chicken
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Crispy Cajun Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Topping
- 1 1/2 cups cornflakes, crushed
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
In a large bowl, toss the cubed chicken breasts with 1 1/2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and 1 tablespoon of olive oil until evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Cook the chicken: You can either air fry or pan-fry. For air frying, place chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until crispy and cooked through. For pan-frying, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375 - 5
Prepare the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Gradually whisk in the 3 cups of milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens slightly (about 5-7 minutes).
⏱️ 7 min - 7
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Combine the cooked macaroni and the crispy Cajun chicken with the cheese sauce in the saucepan. Stir until everything is well coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
For the topping, combine the crushed cornflakes with 2 tablespoons of melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 11
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 12
Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 5 min