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    Home » Recipes » Quick & Easy Recipes » Bacon Mac and Cheese Skillet with Chicken

    Published: Aug 10, 2016 · Modified: Feb 9, 2020 by Linda Warren

    Bacon Mac and Cheese Skillet with Chicken

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    A delicious kicked up version of everyone's favorite. Bacon Mac and Cheese Skillet with Chicken is made easy with store-bought rotisserie chicken & pre-shredded cheese. Easy fix, easy clean up!

    Bacon Mac and Cheese Skillet with Chicken | 2 Cookin Mamas A delicious kicked up version of everyone's favorite. Bacon Mac and Cheese Skillet is made easy with rotisserie chicken & pre-shredded cheese. Easy fix, easy clean up! #recipe #dinner #macandcheese #bacon #chicken
    It's been a busy 2 weeks! I've been at Christina's house, you know, the other half of the 2 Cookin' Mamas, helping out as she welcomed my new little granddaughter into the world. She is absolutely precious and so sweet. Mom & Dad and are going through that sleep-deprived state so I was glad I could be there to cook and, this was the fun part, keep my grandson Maxx company while Mom & Dad figured out the new baby schedule.

    2 Cookin Mamas and kids

    So while I was there I tried out a new recipe for a kicked up mac and cheese. I could have made my favorite Sinfully Rich Mac & Cheese but wanted to give them a little more meaty meal and, from all the empty plates at the end of the meal, I think I made the right decision! I mean, who wouldn't love all that yummy cheese sauce - it just makes my mouth water!

    Bacon Mac and Cheese cheese sauce | 2 Cookin Mamas

    Being that their household is gluten-free I adapted a recipe I found on Picky Palate's website to suit their lifestyle. A few changes like gluten-free macaroni instead of rice, cornstarch instead of flour and mixing all the ingredients together for an easier prep made it a totally different recipe. The sriracha was omitted as well since Chris can't have spicy food while she is breastfeeding. This casserole was baked in the oven, making for a simpler make-ahead casserole, since one never knows when the new arrival is going to let mommy eat. lol

    Bacon Mac and Cheese ingredients | 2 Cookin Mamas

    I love the simplicity of the preparation, especially when using store bought rotisserie chicken and pre-shredded cheese, and the fact that all the ingredients are ones you usually stock on your shelves. Of course, the easy clean-up is always a big plus in my book too!

    Bacon Mac and Cheese all mixed in | 2 Cookin Mamas

    So if you're rushed for time, believe me, this casserole is for you. Bonus if you have young children, cause what youngster doesn't love mac & cheese!  Maxx seconds that! Enjoy!

    Bacon Mac and Cheese Skillet with chicken | 2 Cookin Mamas

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    Love quick & easy recipes? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest & Twitter for all the latest recipe inspiration! Plus join my email list here and receive a free e-book.

     

    BACON MAC AND CHEESE SKILLET with CHICKEN

    A delicious kicked up version of everyone's favorite. Bacon Mac and Cheese Skillet is made easy with rotisserie chicken & pre-shredded cheese. Easy fix, easy clean up!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 601kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    • 6 oz bacon, cooked & crumbled
    • 4 Tablespoons butter
    • ¼ cup cornstarch (for gluten-free or all-purpose flour)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 2 - 2-¼ cups chicken broth
    • 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (I used a shredded mix of mild & sharp cheddar)
    • 1-2 Tablespoons sriracha (optional)
    • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (make it fast with rotisserie chicken)
    • 4 cups cooked spiral macaroni (gluten-free if needed)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a large cast iron skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove from pan & set aside.
    • While bacon is cooking, cook noodles in large saucepan. Remove from pan, drain & set aside. (Keep bacon fat in pan.)
    • To same saucepan, add butter over medium heat until melted. Whisk cornstarch in until smooth. Add chicken broth slowly and continue whisking until smooth & thick. Season with salt & pepper.
    • Turn heat down and add 1-½ cups shredded cheese and stir until melted. Add sriracha if using. Remove from heat.
    • Toss noodles in cast iron skillet to coat with bacon fat. Add chicken and bacon to noodles and stir well. Pour sauce over all and mix well.
    • Sprinkle remaining 1 cup shredded cheese on top.
    • Pop into the oven for 30 minutes. If you like a nicely browned top, turn broiler on for last 5 minutes. Watch carefully as it can brown rather quickly. REMEMBER to remove skillet with pot holders (take it from me - it's just an automatic response to just reach in and grab the handle like you normally would on the stove - and believe me, I speak from experience!)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 601kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 1121mg | Potassium: 306mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 735IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 357mg | Iron: 2mg

    Adapted from a recipe found on Picky Palate

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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