Creamy White Chicken Chili Mac
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 6
A delicious macaroni and cheese dish featuring chicken in a delightful cheesy sauce combined with salsa verde and green chilies, topped generously with cheese!
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta (gluten-free if desired)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour (gluten-free if desired)
- 2 cups chicken broth (link) (or vegetable broth (link), milk, or cream)
- 1/2 cup salsa verde (link)
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (optional)
- 3 cups sharp/aged cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
- Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions.
- In the meantime, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add the chicken and onion, and sauté until the chicken is golden brown and the onion is soft, approximately 5-10 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, cumin, and paprika, then sprinkle in the flour, combine thoroughly, and cook for an additional minute.
- Pour in 1/2 cup of the broth and deglaze the skillet by scraping the browned bits from the bottom using a wooden spoon as the broth bubbles.
- Add the remaining broth, the salsa verde, and diced green chilies, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Incorporate the cream cheese and 2 cups of cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Drain the pasta, combine it with the sauce, top with the remaining cheese, and either: cover to let the cheese melt or broil until melted, around 2-4 minutes.
Option: Remove chicken for a vegetarian dish.
Option: Include 1 diced jalapeno pepper with the onion.
Option: Include 1 diced poblano pepper with the onion.
Note: Adjust the heat level with the salsa verde and diced green chilies. For milder flavor, use only one; for more heat, use both or add additional!
Option: Garnish with sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, fresh diced onions, diced avocado, guacamole, sour cream, etc.
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