Chipotle Chicken Mac & Cheese
598kcal | 69g Protein | 55g Carbohydrates | 12g Fat
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Mac:
- 8 oz dry penne pasta
- 4 oz low-fat cream cheese
- ½ cup skim milk
- ½ cup nonfat shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Juice of ½ lime
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Spray oil optional
Instructions
Cook the pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.8 oz dry penne pasta
Season the chicken:
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken breasts with chipotle powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Lightly spray with olive oil.2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 tsp chipotle powder, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, Spray oil
Cook the chicken (two methods):
- Air Fryer: Preheat to 400°F. Spray basket lightly with oil. Air fry chicken in a single layer for 9–11 minutes, shaking halfway through, until cooked through and lightly crisped.
- Stovetop Sear: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Spray with oil and cook chicken in batches for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally until browned and cooked through.
Make the mac & cheese sauce:
- In the empty pasta pot (or separate saucepan), combine cream cheese, skim milk, Greek yogurt, cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Stir over low heat until melted and creamy.4 oz low-fat cream cheese, ½ cup skim milk, ½ cup nonfat shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp chipotle powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, Juice of ½ lime
Assemble the bowls:
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and mix to combine. Portion into containers and top with chicken instead of mixing it in—this keeps the texture clean and meal-prep-friendly.
Nutrition
Calories: 598kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 69gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 1735mgPotassium: 1309mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1777IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 359mgIron: 3mg
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