Description
A rich, creamy mac and cheese recipe inspired by Chick-fil-A’s famous version. Featuring a blend of four cheeses and a golden, bubbly crust, it’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
1 cup sweet chili sauce
½ cup pineapple juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
For the Chicken:
1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon white pepper
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
For the Stir-Fry:
1 medium white onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup pineapple chunks
Sliced scallions, for garnish
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Boil elbow macaroni in well-salted water for 2 minutes less than al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, whisk in flour to make a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then slowly add heavy cream and milk while whisking constantly until the mixture simmers and thickens.
- Lower heat and gradually add shredded cheeses, stirring until smooth and fully melted.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
- For the topping, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, cook garlic for 1-2 minutes, then stir in Panko breadcrumbs. Toast until golden and sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and the top is golden. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use less cheese or substitute with low-fat versions.
- Add extra cheese to your liking for a richer taste.
- For gluten-free, substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- If you want more texture, add cooked bacon bits or sausage to the mix.
- Reheat leftovers by adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
