Description
Get ready to fire up your comfort food cravings with this bold and creamy Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese! Perfectly seasoned chicken meets a trio of rich cheeses, all tossed with tender pasta and a silky smooth sauce that brings the heat in the most delicious way. Whether you’re looking for an easy dinner idea, hearty food for a crowd, or a quick comfort dish packed with flavor, this recipe ticks all the boxes. It’s a guaranteed hit for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or potlucks.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, diced
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Season diced chicken with Cajun seasoning. Sear in a skillet with oil until cooked through. Set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Slowly add milk and cream while whisking until thickened.
4. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until smooth.
5. Add cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce. Mix well. Adjust seasoning to taste.
6. Optional: Transfer to a baking dish, top with more cheese, and bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes until bubbly.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives and serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest sauce—pre-shredded cheese may be grainy.
You can swap chicken for andouille sausage or shrimp for a Cajun seafood twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop + Baked (optional)
- Cuisine: Southern / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 115mg