Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Bacon, Ranch and Chicken Mac N Cheese

When Tina from MOMS CRAZY COOKING contacted me about participating in her Crazy Cooking Challenge I knew this was something I was interested in.  Not only did it require finding a new recipe in blogland that I haven't tried but it also involved making Mac N Cheese.  I am fully on board with anything that requires cheese.

I looked at several blogs until I finally came upon this Bacon, Ranch and Chicken Mac N Cheese recipe on Cooking Claire.  Not only did the ingredients sound yummy but the picture had me drooling.  I am so glad I tried this recipe.  It is now a favorite in our house.
Ingredients:
8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
1 slice applewood-smoked bacon
8 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups fat-free milk
1/3 cup condensed 45% reduced-sodium 98% fat-free cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded six-cheese Italian blend (such as Sargento)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded colby-Jack cheese


Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.
Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings in pan. Finely chop bacon; set aside.

Increase heat to medium-high. Add chicken to drippings in pan; sauté 6 minutes or until done. 
 Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; sprinkle flour evenly into pan. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk. Combine milk and soup, stirring with a whisk; gradually add milk mixture to saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick. Remove from heat; let stand 4 minutes or until sauce cools to 155°.


Add Italian cheese blend, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, and salt, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in pasta and chicken.

Preheat broiler.
Spoon mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with reserved bacon and colby-Jack cheese. Broil 3 minutes or until cheese melts.
 Enjoy!

Photobucket



11 comments:

The Daily Smash said...

Hi I found your blog on the crazy cooking challenge. You have a great blog looks so yummy :) I think I might make this for dinner lol Check out my food blog

www.thedailysmash101.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Your mac and cheese recipe looks great!! I love anything with ranch!!! Stopping by from CCC.

Lisa~~ said...

Sounds delicious with the bacon and chicken.

My Crazy Cooking Challenge entry: Velvety Mac & Cheese.

Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook

Julie said...

I love bacon in mac-n-cheese and can't wait to try your version. Check out mine, it's the mini mac-n-cheese pies!

The Farm Girl

Jennifer {Mother Thyme} said...

Hi! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe. I love how it combines applewood bacon, yummy! :)

Unknown said...

I love the Ranch mac -- with the fresh dill... I bet that just makes this dish pop! YUM

Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles said...

Oh yea, love this one for sure! My hubby would be all over it too! Great recipe! Thanks.
Come see mine at http://www.willcookforsmiles.com/2011/09/crazy-cooking-challange-mac-n-cheese.html

Angie - Big Bears Wife said...

Bacon Ranch and Chicken with mac and cheese??? ahh hand some over this way!

Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING said...

This is like an entire meal! I will be trying it very soon!

Thanks for joining us for the first month of CCC, stop by and check out my Mac & Cheese Bites!
http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/09/macaroni-and-cheese-bites-crazy-cooking.html

Janie said...

That sounds amazing :)

Stopping by from CCC - #17

Lucas Kain said...

Mmm, tastiness on a plate! :) This goes on my to-do list, thank you!

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