Description
A comforting and indulgent Chicken Parmesan Mac and Cheese that combines crispy popcorn chicken with creamy, cheesy macaroni baked to perfection with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a hearty family meal ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen popcorn chicken
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 lb macaroni
- 10.5 oz condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tbsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp pepper
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Cook Popcorn Chicken: Prepare the frozen popcorn chicken according to the package instructions until crispy and fully cooked. Set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the assembled mac and cheese.
- Cook Macaroni: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water and 2 cups of heavy cream to a boil. Add the macaroni, stir to submerge, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cheese Base: Remove the lid from the macaroni pot. Stir in the condensed cheddar cheese soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. Add 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and the shredded Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheeses melt smoothly into the sauce.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Evenly top with the cooked popcorn chicken, spoon the marinara sauce over the chicken, and sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown lightly on top.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy this rich and savory Chicken Parmesan Mac and Cheese!
Notes
- You can substitute regular cooked chicken tenders if you prefer fresh over frozen.
- Adjust the salt and pepper to your taste for a milder or more robust flavor.
- If you like extra crispy topping, broil for the last 2 minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
