Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Game Day! Chicken Chili Mac N Cheese!


All the rage this year, is Manhattan Clam Chowder-you will see it on all the shows; mostly because of the two East Coast teams.  But, I am ALL ABOUT YUMMY COMFORT FOOD on Game Day!!  This one is going to start with a good BECHAMEL SAUCE, just like so many other dishes in fine restaurants all over the world!  Don't worry...it's easy, and  your friends will be soooo impressed!

LaDolceVitaGirl  Chicken Chili Mac N Cheese Recipe:  click read more

Ingredients:
Large 32 oz bag of Pasta Noodles- I prefer the elbow noodles, but you can use the twisty twirls, Penne, Farfalle, or whatever!  The better the quality of the pasta, the better the dish!  I try to buy pasta from Italy, if possible.  You can find at any grocery store.
1/2 to 1Pound of Boneless/SkinlessChicken (baked, boiled preferred-you may use canned but the taste is not the same and it can be dry)

Plus:
2 tbsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1 Pound of Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/8 pound of Parmesan Cheese for topping (A good Parmesan, please. NOT the kind from the jar! :)
3 Tbsp Flour
1 cup Heavy Cream, Half & Half, or Milk (preferably whole)
1/2 cup dried Very Fine Breadcrumbs (use your own fresh or stale bread-or from a box)
1/2 stick of Butter ( I always cook with unsalted when possible-then I can adjust salt, if needed)
plus 1/2 stick of CUBED BUTTER for topping.

Bake Chicken at 350 degrees, approximately 20 mins; until internal temp is 180 or above.  (Or boil until same) Let cool, and shred, or cut chicken into cubes.  Tip:  do not pay chicken dry after cooking, you will want some of the juice in the dish for flavour.

In large pot, bring 3/4 full of water-and a pinch of salt- to full boil; add noodles, cook per package directions for Al Dente.  Strain Noodles. Set aside.

Make a Spiced Bechamel Sauce:  In small sauce pan, over low heat, melt butter and stir in flour with a whisk until creamy.  Add Nutmeg, Chili Powder,  and Cream or Milk; stirring continually over low (do not let brown for this recipe).  Add Salt and Pepper.  REMOVE PAN FROM HEAT, stir in Cheese.  (See you are a chef! :)  If too thick, you may add small amounts of milk until creamy, but still thick.

Combine Noodles, Cooked Chicken, and Sauce into a large mixing bowl, and gently stir to combine until all noodles are covered.  Lay out mixture into Casserole dish, top with bread crumbs, and dabs of butter.  Top off with Shredded Parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees approximately 30 minutes, until hot throughout.
 Scoop and serve!   

So, this is the main course of what we will be having!  I will serve it with some good Lime-drenched beer in chilled mugs, and some good white vino-Pinot Grisio for me and the other wine lovers.  Mac and Cheese is so versatile, you can serve it with most anything!

Enjoy! Mangia Bene` (Eat Well)  & Happy Football!

I don't care who wins, as long as we all have fun! Yay!
oxoxox

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