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Roasted Chicken and Kale Mac and Cheese

A deserving twist on a classic Mac and Cheese.
Course lunch, Sides
Cuisine American
Keyword Mac & Cheese
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4
Author Rookie With A Cookie

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken thighs boneless
  • 1 cup kale chopped
  • 4 tablespoon butter
  • 4 tablespoon all-purpose four
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt taste and adjust
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese grated plus more to top before baking
  • cup bread crumbs moistened with 2 tablespoon of melted butter
  • 8 oz large elbow macaroni

Instructions

  • Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper and paprika to taste and roast them in the oven for 30 mins at 400 degrees F. (I always roast them for 35 minutes because I find the texture to be chewy even when the chicken thighs have reached the right temperature).
  • Chop the chicken into small pieces once done. Keep this aside to add later to the cheese sauce.
  • For the cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan followed by flour. Stir for two minutes on a low heat to cook off the raw taste of flour.
  • Next, slowly pour in half the milk into the saucepan and turn up the flame to medium. Keep adding the remaining milk as the mixture thickens up. This may take up to 20 minutes so be patient.
  • While the sauce is cooking, boil macaroni for a minute less than what the instructions on the packet says.
  • In another pan, add a little bit of oil and sautee kale with a touch of salt until soft and wilted. Keep aside to add later to the cheese sauce.
  • Once you have achieved a thick consistency for the sauce, add in salt, pepper, paprika and nutmeg, along with the chopped chicken and kale and stir.
  • Next, toss the grated cheddar cheese and stir until cheese is melted into the sauce.
  • Next, spread your macaroni in a 10 inch cast iron skillet or any casserole dish that you have.
  • Pour the prepared cheese sauce on top and toss the macaroni so everything is well combined.
  • Finally top with more cheese and bread crumbs.
  • Bake in the oven at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes or until mac and cheese is golden brown and bubbly. (I bake the mac and cheese for 10 minutes at 375 degrees F and turn on the broiler for the last five minutes to ensure the top is brown but not overbake).
  • Be sure not to bake for too long because your Mac and Cheese will become Mac and String!
  • Enjoy!