Comforting skillet macaroni with tender chicken, mild green chiles, and three-cheese blend for Southwestern flair.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni or small pasta shells
→ Chicken
02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Sauce Base
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
05 - 2 cups whole milk
06 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
→ Seasonings
07 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Chiles & Cheese
13 - 2 cans (4 oz each) mild diced green chiles, drained
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
15 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
16 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish
17 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
18 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
# How-To:
01 - Boil macaroni in salted water according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly to form smooth paste.
03 - Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth. Continue cooking 3-4 minutes until mixture thickens and bubbles.
04 - Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well incorporated.
05 - Add Monterey Jack, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Stir continuously until completely melted and smooth.
06 - Fold in diced chicken and green chiles. Simmer 2 minutes until heated through.
07 - Add cooked macaroni to skillet. Stir until pasta is evenly coated with creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh cilantro and jalapeño slices if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
