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!