Creamy Mac and Cheese with Parmesan Crusted Chicken

This dish was inspired by the Noodle Company. They serve a delicious macaroni and cheese and you can add some crusted chicken to the meal for just $2...anyway...this is not a plug for them, but for me! I wanted to try to replicate it...and this was pretty close! The flavor of the mac and cheese was just a little different, but O SO DELICIOUS! It comes in a close second to my Momma's Mac and Cheese. This is perfectly creamy and the Parmesan Crusted Chicken adds the perfect crunch.

Creamy Mac and Cheese with Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Printable Version

Creamy Mac and Cheese

16 oz. desired noodles

1 Tbs. flour

1 Tbs. butter

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup 1% milk

1 1/2 cups colby jack cheese, shredded

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease and 8x8 glass baking dish and set aside. Boil noodles until al dente, because they will cook the remainder of the way in the oven; drain.

While noodles are cooking, melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 30 seconds. Add cream and milk, constantly stirring, and increase heat to medium. Add 1 1/2 cups colby jack cheese and 1/2 cup parmesan, stir until melted and slightly thickened. Add noodles and toss to coat. Transfer mixture to a the prepared baking dish.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until the sauce bubbles. Serve with Parmesan Crusted Chicken, below.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/8 inch thickness
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Combine panko bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour, then eggs, then bread crumb/parmesan mixture. Allow to rest for at least 10 minutes.

In a large frying pan, heat the oil until hot but not smoking. Add chicken and reduce heat to medium, being careful not to burn panko crumbs. Cook, turning once, until crumbs are golden brown and chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes on each side.

Recipe Adapted from Giada

Serves 4.