Can Eestherlee's mac and cheese top Tini's PERFECTION?

Ingredients

• 8 oz Elbow Macaroni (dry, uncooked)
• 1 lb Chicken Breast (cooked and shredded)
• 4 Tbsp Butter (unsalted, cut into cubes)
• 0.25 cup All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
• 1 cup Whole Milk (full‑fat)
• 1 cup Heavy Cream (cold)
• 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
• 1 tsp Dijon Mustard (smooth)
• 0.5 tsp Garlic Powder (optional)
• 0.5 tsp Onion Powder (optional)
• 0.5 tsp Smoked Paprika (adds smoky flavor)
• 0.25 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• to taste Salt (adjust for seasoning)
• 0.5 cup Bread Crumbs (prefer panko for extra crunch)
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (for mixing with breadcrumbs)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven

   Set the oven to 375°F (190°C) and let it preheat while you prepare the other components.

   Time: PT0M

   Temperature: 375°F

2. Cook Pasta

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook 8‑9 minutes until al dente. Drain in a colander and set aside.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: boiling

3. Cook and Shred Chicken

   Season the chicken breast with a pinch of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. In a skillet over medium‑high heat, cook the chicken 5‑6 minutes per side until fully cooked. Let rest 2 minutes, then shred with two forks.

   Time: PT7M

   Temperature: medium‑high

4. Make Roux

   Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and whisk continuously for 2 minutes until the mixture turns light golden and smells nutty.

   Time: PT2M

   Temperature: medium

5. Create Cheese Sauce Base

   Slowly pour the whole milk and heavy cream into the roux while whisking. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 3‑4 minutes. Reduce heat to low.

   Time: PT4M

   Temperature: low

6. Add Cheeses and Seasonings

   Stir in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan until fully melted. Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt to taste. Mix until smooth.

   Time: PT3M

   Temperature: low

7. Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, shredded chicken, and cheese sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.

   Time: PT5M

8. Prepare Topping

   In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil until lightly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the assembled pasta in the baking dish.

   Time: PT2M

9. Bake

   Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13‑inch baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the edges are lightly golden.

   Time: PT20M

   Temperature: 375°F

10. Broil for Finish

    Remove the foil (if used) and switch the oven to broil. Broil for 2‑3 minutes, watching closely, until the breadcrumb topping turns deep golden brown and crisp.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: broil

Nutrition Facts

Calories

620

Protein

30g

Carbohydrates

45g

Fat

30g

Fiber

2g