Best 4 Chicken And Spinach Mac And Cheese Recipes

Indulge in a culinary delight that harmoniously blends the comforting flavors of mac and cheese with juicy chicken and the vibrant freshness of spinach. This delectable dish offers a satisfying combination of textures, with tender chicken pieces, creamy cheese sauce, al dente macaroni, and wilted spinach. It's a versatile recipe that can be easily customized to suit your preferences, making it a perfect choice for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or special occasions. Explore variations such as adding a crispy breadcrumb topping for extra crunch, or incorporating sautéed mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes for a more savory experience. This article presents a collection of chicken and spinach mac and cheese recipes, each offering unique flavor profiles and cooking methods to tantalize your taste buds.

**Here are the featured recipes in the article:**

1. **Classic Chicken and Spinach Mac and Cheese:** A timeless recipe that showcases the harmonious blend of tender chicken, spinach, and a velvety cheese sauce.

2. **One-Pot Chicken and Spinach Mac and Cheese:** A convenient and flavorful dish prepared entirely in one pot, saving time and effort without compromising taste.

3. **Creamy Pesto Chicken and Spinach Mac and Cheese:** A delightful combination of pesto's aromatic flavors, succulent chicken, and spinach, enveloped in a rich and creamy cheese sauce.

4. **Baked Chicken and Spinach Mac and Cheese:** Experience a golden-brown crust and a gooey, melted cheese interior in this oven-baked version that adds an extra layer of texture and flavor.

5. **Lightened-Up Chicken and Spinach Mac and Cheese:** A healthier take on the classic, featuring reduced-fat cheese and lean chicken, without sacrificing any of the comforting flavors.

6. **Chicken and Spinach Mac and Cheese with Bacon:** Indulge in the smoky, savory goodness of bacon, combined with tender chicken, spinach, and a luscious cheese sauce.

7. **Chicken and Spinach Mac and Cheese with Roasted Vegetables:** Elevate your mac and cheese with a vibrant medley of roasted vegetables, adding a colorful and nutritious touch to the dish.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHICKEN FLORENTINE MAC AND CHEESE

Chicken Florentine Mac and Cheese image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 pound elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons salted butter
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded white Cheddar
1 cup shredded fontina cheese
2 teaspoons cornstarch
8 ounces white processed cheese, such as Velveeta or queso blanco, cubed
3 cups baby spinach
1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Heat half the butter in a braiser over medium heat. Add the chicken, then sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, then stir and cook briefly. Add the chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the pan as it boils. Add the milk, cream and the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and cook, stirring, until it is warmed through and the sauce is simmering.
Toss together the Cheddar, fontina and cornstarch in a bowl.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese mixture into the pan, stirring constantly until the cheese is completely melted. Add the processed cheese cubes and allow them to melt. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken, about 1 minute. Add the cooked macaroni, the spinach and tomatoes, then stir until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Garnish with the fresh parsley and serve.

SPINACH MAC AND CHEESE

Spinach Mac And Cheese image

This recipe was a successful attempt at trying to feed my family more spinach. They loved it and now prefer this version to conventional mac and cheese.

Provided by Lenka McDonald

Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 teaspoon butter
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 pound frozen chopped spinach, not thawed
3 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 teaspoon butter.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat while macaroni is cooking. Add flour and whisk until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in a little milk and continue whisking. Pour in remaining milk and add frozen spinach. Cook, whisking constantly, until spinach softens and sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
Remove sauce from heat and stir in 2 cups Cheddar cheese; whisk until melted. Season sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Drain macaroni and spread evenly in the prepared baking dish. Cover with cheese sauce. Mix well. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 30 minutes. Turn on the oven's broiler and broil until a golden crust forms on top, about 3 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 425.8 calories, Carbohydrate 41.2 g, Cholesterol 59.5 mg, Fat 20 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 20.5 g, SaturatedFat 12.3 g, Sodium 466.6 mg, Sugar 5.2 g

IN-A-PINCH CHICKEN & SPINACH

In-a-Pinch Chicken & Spinach image

I needed a fast supper while babysitting my grandchild. I used what my daughter-in-law had in the fridge and turned it into what's now one of our favorite chicken and spinach recipes. -Sandra Ellis, Stockbridge, Georgia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach
1 cup salsa

Steps:

Pound chicken with a meat mallet to 1/2-in. thickness. In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Cook chicken 5-6 minutes on each side or until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm., Add spinach and salsa to pan; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or just until spinach is wilted. Serve with chicken.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 297 calories, Fat 14g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 102mg cholesterol, Sodium 376mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

SPINACH MAC AND CHEESE

Spinach Mac and Cheese image

Add a bit of green goodness to basic mac and cheese with fresh spinach, stirred into the sauce until just wilted.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup minced yellow onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk, room temperature
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 bunches curly- or flat-leaf spinach (about 1 3/4 pounds total), trimmed, washed, and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick strips
5 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated (2 cups)
3/4 pound elbow macaroni, cooked according to package instructions

Steps:

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium. Add onion and cook until translucent, 6 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is pale golden and has a slightly nutty aroma, about 2 minutes. Whisking constantly, add 2 cups milk. Add remaining 2 cups milk, raise heat to medium-high, and whisk until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Cook, whisking constantly, until sauce comes to a boil, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, 13 to 15 minutes.
Add spinach and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add cheese and stir until melted, about 2 minutes. Add cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 511 g, Fat 20 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 24 g

Tips:

Use quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the final dish. Look for high-quality pasta, cheese, and chicken.
Cook the pasta al dente: This means that it should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unpleasant.
Make a creamy cheese sauce: The cheese sauce is the key to a good mac and cheese. Use a combination of cheeses that melt well together, such as cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Add cooked chicken and spinach: Once the cheese sauce is made, add cooked chicken and spinach. This will add protein and vegetables to the dish.
Top with breadcrumbs and bake: To give the mac and cheese a golden brown crust, top it with breadcrumbs and bake it in the oven until the breadcrumbs are toasted.

Conclusion:

Chicken and spinach mac and cheese is a hearty, comforting dish that is perfect for a family meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. Whether you like your mac and cheese cheesy, creamy, or packed with vegetables, there is a recipe in this article that is perfect for you. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give chicken and spinach mac and cheese a try.