Chicken-Broccoli Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Is it Saturday already? I was home from work yesterday and suddenly inspired to cook, bake and clean. I did get some reading done too. Currently reading The Finest Hours and it's very good. I was plotting my post for the weekly meal planning and here is one that will be included (hopefully I can post tomorrow). It's easy, it's cheesy, it has a vegetable in it and carbs too!





Chicken-Broccoli Mac and Cheese with Bacon


Ingredients

6 ounces uncooked large or regular elbow macaroni
3 cups chopped broccoli florets
3 bacon slices, coarsely chopped
12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 1/4 cups 1% low-fat milk
1 cup unsalted chicken stock
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
5 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 1/4 cups)


Preparation

1. Preheat broiler to high.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Add broccoli to pan during last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain.
3. While pasta cooks, place bacon in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat; cook 4 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon; reserve 1 1/2 teaspoons drippings in pan. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add chicken to drippings in pan; cook 4 minutes. Sprinkle with garlic; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with turmeric; cook 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
4. Combine remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, milk, stock, and flour, stirring with a whisk. Add milk mixture to pan; bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook 2 minutes or until thickened. Add pasta mixture and 2 ounces cheese; toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining 3 ounces cheese and bacon. Broil 2 minutes or until cheese melts and just begins to brown.


I am sharing this with Beth Fish's Weekend Cooking Series.



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