Chicken-Broccoli Mac and Cheese with Bacon
A little bit of turmeric enhances the color here; it's a bit of a trick that makes you perceive the sauce as cheesier than it actually is.
A little bit of turmeric enhances the color here; it's a bit of a trick that makes you perceive the sauce as cheesier than it actually is.
Needs more punch... will try with cream and more cheese next time. Yes, I understand it will no longer be so light of a recipe, but will be much better in flavor. Maybe more garlic too. As is, qualifies as edible.
I make this dish every couple months. My family gobbles it up! http://determinedwwmomma.blogspot.com
This was delicious, big hit with the family. You could really elevate this recipe. It's basic and you could add to it. For example, canned diced tomatoes, ancho chili powder, you could also use andouille instead of bacon.
I made the recipe as it stated, but for a topping, I took 3 tbsp of butter heated it in a pan and tossed a cup of bread crumbs until they were golden. I then put it in the oven for 30 min at 350 then 2 minutes under broiler to crisp them up. Very good!
I didn't have elbow macaroni so used baby bow-tie pasta. Came out perfectly. Very flavorful. Used slightly more chicken (1 lb) than the recipe called for and it was very filling. Served with a side of fruit. Can't wait for the leftovers tomorrow! Will definitely make this regularly.
This is so delicious! It's become a big-time family favorite. My variations have included adding a tiny bit of curry and omitting the chicken (while adding more broccoli and bacon), and adding some extra grated cheese and panko bread crumbs on top.
Made to recipe using skim milk & accidentally added all the cheddar to the sauce. Used extra 2oz parm/asiago on top, so ours ended up being cheesier (about 45cal more per serving). Think a bit of mustard might be good in the sauce, or dash of red pepper.
Great. Will make crispier next time under the broiler.
Um...yes. I substituted rotini pasta but regardless, this totally filled my need for everything carb-y, cheesy and oh so bad for you. The turmeric is a great trick and the broccoli helped me hate myself less for eating something my brain was trying to tell me MUST be off limits.
Loved this! Super creamy, delicious for 343 calories!!
I thought the sauce and the combination of ingredients were outstanding - except the chicken. This will be a repeat - but without the chicken which didn't add any flavor and increased the cooking time. I would rather have grilled chicken on the side.
Using smoked chicken puts this over the top!
I used 2% cheddar and the 150 calorie pasta that is now out, and center cut bacon from oscar meyer, to do a bit more reduction of calories. It tasted fine.
This was a good solid recipe. I made exactly as described.
The recipe is amazing, i just had to add more pepper and spices.
Loved this! I used a really good extra sharp cheddar cheese and I think that made the difference.
Huge hit with my family!
This was delicious and easy to make. It was much lighter than other Mac and cheese recipes and with chicken and broccoli it was a whole meal. I made it ahead of time until the last step and finished just before serving with adding the topping and broiling. I didn't have turmeric, so I left that out, I think 1/8 tsp was probably mostly for color anyway.
Very good. Left all the bacon grease in. Used a dutch oven. Will make again. Lots of flavor.
While this is definitely my kind of recipe, my husband was pretty sceptical. But he thought it was really good once he tried it. It's got a good, cheesy taste without being over the top. I'll definitely make it again.
I agree that this was just ok, although it did taste better the next day. I used corkscrew pasta but everything else in the recipe I followed. I haven't tried other CL mac and cheese recipes so I wasn't sure what to expect but I'd try some others before coming back to this one.
Thought it was good for a quick weeknight meal, but wouldn't serve to guest.
My husband and I thought this was definitely good enough to be a keeper. I find the timing on CL isn't always super accurate. Not too bad though, took me about 35 minutes start to finish. I didn't make any modifications and felt the recipe was good as is.
Another great recipe from the May 2014 Issue of Cooking Light! Everyone in my family of 6 has colds and we found it to be the ultimate comfort food! My husband rated it A++. My 14 year old daughter thought it tasted like Alfredo which she loves and my 7 year old thought it was the best Mac and Cheese she has ever had - high praise from her. I followed the recipe almost exactly but doubled it. Changes - Used whole grain penne instead of elbows, used 1 pound of chicken for the doubled recipe and used 8 ounces of cheddar in the doubled sauce with about 3 more ounces on top with 1/2 of the bacon. I put the other 1/2 of the bacon in with the pasta. The broiled topping was delicious. Will definitely make this again many times in the future! We had leftovers for Lunch today. I added some diced ham and more cheese on top and broiled it again. It was really good that way too!
We had this for dinner last night and it was voted as a repeat meal. My daughter has a milk protein issue so I subbed unsweetened almond milk for the milk and goat cheese mozzarella for the cheese. Quick and easy to make.
We had this last night. I think the chicken could be removed and more broccoli added and it would be just as good. It was quick and easy and would definitely have again.
Tested this recipe out this past weekend and it was immediately voted into the standard rotation menu. :) I subbed whole grain pasta(torchetti), white whole wheat flour, mustard powder for the turmeric, added in a 1/4 c. mixed fresh grated parm/pecorino along w/the cheddar prescribed and 1 c. skim and 1/4 c. whole milk (it's what I had on hand). I buy and hoard chicken tenders when they are on sale and I have to say, they are perfect to quickly throw into this recipe. Tons of flavor and definitely hits the comfort food note with a bit of a lighter twist. Good job, CL!
Definitely fills that comfort food need....
Made this last night & liked it. I forgot to remove the bacon so it got mixed in the dish instead of being a topping. It was fine like that, but I think would be better as a topping. Also, I used some rotisserie chicken I had on hand. We were not sure that the chicken added anything - it didn't detract, just (to us) didn't add to the dish. I'll probably leave the chicken out the next time. I think I'd like to try this with cut up ham. Also next time, I'll add a bit of dry mustard and some red pepper flakes.
Loved this dish! I substituted the elbow macaroni with tri-colored rotini to get some hidden veggies into the kids and it tasted amazing. There was a lot of broccoli so I think I will reduce that amount a little. I also used a whole 12 oz box of pasta as opposed to just 6 oz and it worked out great for our family of 6.
Light dish all enjoyed
This is the whole family's new fave. Absolutely delicious one-dish meal. It is supposed to serve 6, but it's so good the four of us polished it off easily. Followed the recipe to a T and wouldn't change a thing. I will say it took a little more than 25 minutes though. It's 25 if you have everything prepped - your broccoli, garlic, and chicken cut.