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Spicy Chicken and Bacon Mac

Name: Spicy Chicken and Bacon Mac
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups uncooked cavatappi pasta or elbow macaroni; 3 tablespoons butter; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream; 1/2 cup 2% milk; 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese; 2 cups shredded cooked chicken; 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled; 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped; 1 cup crushed kettle-cooked potato chips or panko bread crumbs

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Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Makes

6 servings

I've been working to perfect a creamy, spicy mac and cheese for years. After adding smoky bacon, chicken, jalapenos and spicy cheese, this is the ultimate! I use rotisserie chicken and precooked bacon when I'm pressed for time. —Sarah Gilbert, Aloha, Oregon

Spicy Chicken and Bacon Mac Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

1-1/2 cups uncooked cavatappi pasta or elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup crushed kettle-cooked potato chips or panko bread crumbs

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain. Preheat broiler.
In a 10-inch cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until blended; cook and stir until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes (do not burn). Gradually whisk in cream, milk, Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; cook and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted. Add pasta, chicken, bacon and jalapeno; cook and stir until heated through. Sprinkle chips over top.
Broil 3-4 inches from heat until chips are browned, about 30 seconds.

Test Kitchen tips

If your family likes spicy foods, add more Cajun seasoning or jalapeno pepper.

Cavatappi is a tube-shaped pasta in the shape of a corkscrew.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 673 calories, 50g fat (28g saturated fat), 175mg cholesterol, 705mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein.

Spicy Chicken and Bacon Mac

Total Time

Makes

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Ingredients

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