Chicken Bacon Mac & Cheese
Ingredients:
1 lb. Pappardelle’s Plain Large Trumpets
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 slices bacon
1-2 tablespoons butter (plus additional for garnish)
4 tablespoons flour
4 cups milk
2 cups fontina cheese, shredded
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1.5 cups smoked mozzarella, shredded
1.5 cups Parmesan cheese, shredded (plus additional for garnish)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Panko breadcrumbs (to taste)
Salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions:Â
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Bring 4 quarts (3.8 liters) of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta to water, return water to a gentle boil and cook for 10-12 minutes or until al dente, stirring intermittently. Drain.
- Meanwhile, place a deep-sided saucepan over medium heat, adding enough oil to cover the bottom. Season chicken breasts with salt & pepper to taste and add to pan, cooking each side for about 7 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. When cool enough, shred into bite-sized pieces.
- Use the same pan and bring to medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel. Carefully tip out bacon into a cup and place pan back on medium-low heat.
- Measure out 2-3 tablespoons of reserved bacon fat and add back into the pan. Add about 1-2 tablespoons butter. Add flour and whisk constantly until a roux forms and turns a bit toasty and golden. Pour in milk and whisk to incorporate, occasionally stirring, until thickened. Dip a spoon into the béchamel and run a finger down the back of the spoon. If the béchamel does not run together then it is ready (or known as nape).
- Turn the heat to low and add fontina, cheddar, smoked mozzarella, and Parmesan, stirring until the cheeses are melted. Add pasta, chicken and bacon, and season with cayenne and salt & pepper.
- Tip mixture into a greased 9" x 13" baking dish. Top with Panko, a few knobs of butter and more Parmesan, if desired. Bake the dish for 30 minutes, or until bubbly. For a crunchier topping, broil for a few minutes before removing from oven. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
