CHICKEN BACON RANCH MAC AND CHEESE

CHICKEN BACON RANCH MAC AND CHEESE 

CHICKEN BACON RANCH MAC AND CHEESE

How can a baked macaroni and cheese recipe get any better? Turn it into a Chicken Bacon Ranch

Mac and Cheese of course! Chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing are a trifecta in the cooking world, and are now paired up with the classic comfort dish that is mac and cheese. Tender pieces of

chicken mixed with smoky bacon and Italian cheeses make this meal out of this world.

Servings: 4

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni

3 slices apple wood-smoked bacon

½ pound boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups milk

1/3 cup condensed cream of mushroom soup

¾ cup shredded six-cheese Italian blend

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon fresh dill, chopped

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup shredded Colby-jack cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pot cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet over medium high cook bacon slices until crisp, turning once. Remove bacon slices from the pan and drain on paper towels. Reserve the bacon grease in the pan.

Finely chop bacon and set aside. Increase the heat of the skillet to medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts to the pan and cook turning once until the chicken is fully cooked (the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees). Remove from the pan and chop the chicken into ½ inch chunks.

In a medium bowl, whisk together milk and cream of mushroom soup.

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle flour evenly into the pan. Cook for 2

minutes while stirring constantly with a whisk.

Gradually add the milk and soup mixture to the saucepan while whisking. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes or until the mixture becomes thick.

Remove from the heat. Let stand for 4 minutes. Add Italian cheese blend, onion powder, garlic

powder, dill, and salt. Stir until the cheese melts. Stir in pasta, chicken, and half of the chopped crispy bacon.

Lightly spray an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon the macaroni and cheese mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with Colby-jack cheese and remaining bacon bits.

Place into the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the mixture is heated through. Remove from the oven and top with green onions.