Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese (Baked)
Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese, inspired by Louisiana cuisine, features a rich and zesty cheese sauce, complemented by a crispy panko breadcrumb topping. This dish serves as a flavorful and spicy option for a weeknight family meal.
Print
Pin
Servings: 3 Persons
Calories: 330kcal
Ingredients
- 200 g Macaroni Pasta Al dente (Boiled)
For Cajun Chicken
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 100 g Chicken boneless
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 2 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- For Cajun Sauce:
- 2 tablespoon Butter unsalted
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon White Flour
- 1.5 Cups Milk Full fat
- 1 tablespoon CAjun Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 30 g Cream Cheese
- 200 g Cheddar Cheese
Topping
- 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- ½ cup Cheddar Cheese diced/shredded
Instructions
Al Dente Macaroni Pasta
- Place the macaroni or your preferred pasta into a pot filled with boiling salted water.
- Let it cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes until it reaches your desired tenderness or chewiness. Once done, drain the water and rinse the macaroni under tap water, then set it in a strainer to remove any extra moisture.
Cook Cajun Chicken
- In a pan, add olive oil and sauté the chicken pieces over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Once the chicken begins to change color, sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well and let it cook for another 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat.
- [Tip]: Since the chicken pieces are small, they should become tender in about 5 to 6 minutes. If you're using larger pieces, cover the pan and let them cook for about 5 minutes to ensure they become tender.
- Next, transfer the chicken to a plate and use the same pan to prepare the sauce.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce
- In a hot pan, melt some butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in garlic powder and all-purpose flour, cooking for about a minute until the flour takes on a light brown hue. Remember to keep stirring!
- Next, pour in the milk and quickly mix it to create a smooth sauce. Ensure the heat remains medium; otherwise, the sauce may thicken too quickly.
- Season your sauce with Cajun spices, salt, and pepper, and stir well to blend all the flavors.
- Continue stirring, and as the sauce thickens, add in cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese.
- Allow it to blend on medium heat, stirring consistently to achieve a rich and creamy cheesy sauce.
Assembling
- Now add boiled macaroni pasta and Cajun spiced chicken that we prepared.
- Mix it well to combine with sauce.
Bake the Pasta
- Preheat the oven at 440°F
- Set the macaroni and cheese sauce in a baking dish.
- Topped with panko bread crumbs and cheddar cheese.
- Bake for about 20 minutes.
- Take it out and serve it hot. Cajun Mac and Cheese is ready!
Video
Notes
- A great tip for achieving creamy mac and cheese is to slightly undercook the pasta. If the pasta needs 8 minutes to cook fully, aim for about 7 minutes for that perfect al dente texture. The last bit of cooking will happen while it bakes, ensuring the pasta shells have just the right consistency. If you're concerned about ending up with mushy pasta, this method is a game changer.
- To prevent your mac and cheese from drying out, be sure to add plenty of sauce, using more milk than flour in your recipe. A higher flour content can lead to a thicker sauce, which might not be what you want. When it comes to Cajun mac and cheese, remember that it packs more heat than the classic version. Adjust the spice level by controlling the amount of Cajun seasoning you add. For an extra kick, consider mixing in some cayenne pepper, but if you're cooking for kids, use less Cajun seasoning for a milder flavor.
- You can also swap Cajun seasoning for Creole or Old Bay seasoning if you prefer.
- If your roux turns lumpy, don’t worry! A simple fix is to whisk in a bit of warm milk to smooth it out. Once it’s nice and creamy, add more milk and stir vigorously to achieve a thick, consistent sauce. This technique works wonders for any cheese sauce.
- Avoid using pre-shredded cheese from the store, as the anti-caking agents can prevent that gooey, cheesy goodness we all love.
- For a crispy topping, leave the baking dish uncovered. If you're using regular breadcrumbs, make your own by crushing them on a cutting board into larger flakes and toasting them before layering them on top. And if you have any leftover blackened chicken, toss it into the mac and cheese for an incredible flavor boost!
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 330kcal
