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Close-up of creamy low calorie chicken mac and cheese with pasta and cheese topping

Low Calorie Chicken Mac and Cheese


  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

A healthier take on the classic comfort food, this low calorie chicken mac and cheese uses lean chicken breast and a light cheese sauce made with reduced-fat milk and low-fat cheese, delivering creamy, satisfying flavor with fewer calories.


Ingredients

Scale

8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups reduced-fat (2%) milk
1 cup low-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika


Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and cook until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the flour and 1/2 cup of the milk until smooth to make a slurry.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and gradually whisk in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 5 minutes.
Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted and smooth.
Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
Add the cooked macaroni and chicken to the cheese sauce and gently stir until everything is evenly coated and heated through, about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and serve immediately.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes