Oh yes! Mac and cheese with crispy fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food combo—creamy, cheesy pasta paired with crunchy, flavorful chicken. Here’s a complete recipe:
Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
For the crispy fried chicken:
- 2–3 boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into strips
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the mac and cheese:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole milk preferred)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or mustard powder for extra flavor
- Optional: breadcrumbs for topping (1/4 cup)
Instructions
1. Prepare the fried chicken
- Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for 30 minutes (or longer for more tenderness).
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Dredge each chicken piece in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
- Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
- Drain on paper towels.
2. Cook the macaroni
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. Make the cheese sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to make a roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Season with salt, pepper, and optional smoked paprika or mustard powder.
4. Combine
- Mix the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
- Optional: For a baked version, transfer mac and cheese to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–15 minutes until golden.
5. Serve
- Plate a generous scoop of mac and cheese.
- Top with crispy fried chicken strips.
- Garnish with parsley or extra shredded cheese if desired.
💡 Tips for perfection:
- Fry chicken in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady for crispiness.
- Use sharp cheddar or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella for extra gooeyness.
- For an indulgent touch, drizzle a little garlic butter over the chicken before serving.
If you want, I can also give you a one-pan mac and cheese with crispy baked chicken version that’s lighter and easier but still super crispy. Do you want me to do that?
