One Pot Stove Top Mac & Cheese

40 min

8 servings

Thank you, Dianna Lynne, for this recipe!

Ingredients

  • 2 large skinless boneless chicken breasts, sliced into 4 fillets
  • 1 tbsp + 2 tsp Tuscan Chicken Burger Seasoning, divided
  • 2 tbsp oil, divided
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tsp 3 Onion Dip Mix, or 1 small onion chopped, or both
  • 2 tsp Herb & Garlic Dip Mix, or 2 tsp garlic, or both
  • 13 cup white wine, optional
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth, preferably low-sodium
  • 3 cups milk, half & half, or light cream, divided
  • 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups baby spinach leaves
  • 1 cup fresh grated cheese, your choice
  • 1 pkg Mac & Cheese Seasoning
  • Sea Salt, to taste
  • Black Pepper, to taste

Preparation

  1. Season chicken with 1 tbsp Tuscan Chicken Burger Seasoning and 2 tsp oil. Heat the remaining oil in a large pot or pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear on both sides until golden brown, cooked through and no longer pink in the middle. Transfer to a warm plate, tent with foil and set aside.
  2. To the same pan (don’t wash) add the butter and fry the onion and garlic until the onion becomes transparent, stirring occasionally, about 2 min.
  3. Pour in the white wine, if using. Add 3 Onion Dip Mix and Herb & Garlic Dip Mix, if desired. Simmer 5 min or until reduction beginnings.
  4. Stir in flour; allow to cook 1 min. Add broth, 21⁄2 cups milk, remaining 2 tsp Tuscan Chicken Burger Seasoning and bring to a low simmer.
  5. Add macaroni and stir occasionally as it comes to a simmer. Reduce heat down to medium low and stir regularly while it cooks, about 9–10 min, or until the sauce thickens and the macaroni is just cooked; tender but still firm. Add the spinach and stir until wilted.
  6. Take the pan off the stove and stir in the cheese and the Mac & Cheese Seasoning quickly while the pasta is still hot. If the sauce is too thick add the remaining 1⁄2 cup milk, as needed. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
  7. Slice chicken into strips and combine with the pasta. Pour any juice left from the cooked chicken plate into the pan.
  8. Serve immediately. Add topping, if desired.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 410, Fat 16 g (Saturated 8 g, 0.2 0 g), Cholesterol 55 mg, Sodium 390 mg, Carbohydrate 42 g (Fiber 3 g, Sugars 3 g), Protein 23 g.