This Crispy Chicken Mac & Cheese takes creamy, cheesy mac and cheese and turns it into an easy, filling family dinner with juicy, seasoned chicken on top. It’s simple, budget-friendly, packed with flavor, and makes enough to feed a hungry family.
Made with Kraft Mac & Cheese PowerMac, each serving brings extra protein and fiber to a comfort-food dinner the whole family can get excited about. The chicken gets a quick marinade with lemon, paprika, garlic, Italian seasoning, and chicken bouillon before being seared until golden and juicy.
Even better, everything comes together with minimal cleanup. After cooking the chicken, you'll make the creamy cheese sauce right in the same skillet, toss in the cooked macaroni, then finish it with sliced chicken and fresh parsley.
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Chicken Mac & Cheese
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy but more substantial than regular mac and cheese. It serves about 9 people, making it especially great for larger families or nights when you want leftovers.
The seasoned chicken adds tons of flavor without requiring a long ingredient list, while making the cheese sauce directly in the chicken skillet keeps all those delicious flavors in the finished dish.
It’s creamy, cheesy, savory and ready without spending hours in the kitchen.
Tips for the Best Chicken Mac & Cheese
Cut the chicken into thin cutlets. Thin chicken cooks quickly and evenly while developing more golden, seasoned surface area.
Give the chicken time to marinate. Thirty minutes is enough to make a noticeable difference in flavor.
Don't wipe out the skillet. Those browned bits left behind after searing the chicken add extra flavor to the cheese sauce.
Don't overcook the chicken. Because the cutlets are thin, they cook quickly. Use an instant-read thermometer and remove them once they reach 165°F internally.
Serve immediately. Mac and cheese is at its creamiest right after the pasta and sauce are combined.
What to Serve With Crispy Chicken Mac & Cheese
This is filling enough to be a complete meal on its own, but you can easily add a simple vegetable on the side. Roasted broccoli, green beans, peas, asparagus or a simple garden salad all work well.
For a big family dinner, put the entire skillet in the middle of the table and let everyone serve themselves.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover chicken and mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
When reheating, add a small splash of milk before microwaving or warming gently on the stovetop. This helps loosen the cheese sauce and bring back some of its original creaminess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would work well with the same seasoning mixture. Cooking time will vary depending on their thickness, so cook until they reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Do I have to marinate the chicken for 30 minutes?
You can cook it immediately if you're short on time, but allowing it to sit for at least 30 minutes gives the seasonings and lemon more time to flavor the chicken.
Can I make this ahead?
You can prepare and marinate the chicken ahead of time. For the best texture, however, I recommend cooking the macaroni and making the cheese sauce shortly before serving.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe makes approximately 9 servings, making it a great option for a big family dinner.
Sponsored: This recipe was created in partnership with Kraft Mac & Cheese.
Crispy Chicken Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Halve the chicken breast into 2 cutlets. Season with chicken bouillon, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Coat well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the Kraft Mac & Cheese PowerMac noodles according to package directions, about 13–14 minutes.
- While the noodles cook, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from the skillet, let rest, then slice.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the milk and all 3 cheese packets. Let the mixture bubble briefly, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- Drain the cooked noodles and add them directly to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Toss until completely coated.
- Top the mac and cheese with the sliced chicken and fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
