Last Updated on August 4, 2022 by Kathryn Donangelo
This Skinny Chicken Mac and Cheese is cheesy, creamy, & loaded with grilled chicken and broccoli! This recipe has all the classic comfort flavors and is easy to make!
If you love this recipe try my Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, Stovetop Mac and Cheese, and Baked Mac and Cheese!
PIN Skinny Chicken Mac and Cheese to try later!
If you love macaroni and cheese, you will love this recipe! This meal comes together in less than 30 minutes and has a healthy spin on the classic mac and cheese recipe. This recipe is filled with protein, greens, and plenty of cheese. Also, my Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is low-carb and another dinner winner!
Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Am I right? I love using the medium shell pasta for this because the cheese sauce gets inside the shells and makes it even cheesier. This skinny dish isn’t loaded with a ton of fat, cream or unwanted ingredients that are in a traditional mac and cheese.
The cheese sauce is my favorite part about this recipe. It’s smooth, creamy, extra cheesy, and takes ten minutes to make. Yep, that’s right. Ten minutes.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE SKINNY CHICKEN MAC AND CHEESE
- Chicken
- Medium pasta shells
- Broccoli
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Chicken broth
- Garlic powder
- Salt + pepper
- Cheddar cheese
HOW TO MAKE SKINNY CHICKEN MAC AND CHEESE
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta shells according to package directions. Stirring frequently. Add broccoli florets during the last 2-3 minutes of cook time. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet or large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted add flour and whisk together until combined and smooth. Slowly whisk in milk, chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir often until mixture has thickened, bubbling, and smooth.
- Remove from heat and shredded cheese. Stir until all the cheese has melted into the cheese mixture.
- Add in the drained pasta shells, broccoli, and chopped chicken. Stir to combine until all of the ingredients are combined and all of the pasta shells are evenly coated in the cheese sauce. Serve immediately.
Grilled chicken + broccoli + a creamy dreamy cheese mixture= the best combination and makes the best dinner!
I feel like chicken and cheese were made for each other plus, you get an additional boost of protein! This meal will keep you feeling satisfied and you’ll be craving this shorty after.
This makes an ideal meal for busy school nights, work nights, or days where you don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Life gets hectic sometimes and luckily, this recipe comes to the rescue on those extra busy days.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST SKINNY CHICKEN MAC AND CHEESE
- I always prefer to shred my own cheese instead of buying it shredded because it makes the cheese sauce extra creamy. It’s also better for you as the pre-shredded cheese has cellulose in it that’s an anti-caking agent.
- Chicken breasts are my favorite when grilled because I love the flavor as opposed to just baking the chicken. You can grill the chicken on an indoor or outdoor grill.
- Fresh broccoli always provides much more flavor and stays a bit crunchy. When using frozen the broccoli can become mushy and watery after cooking.
LEFTOVERS
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. When ready to reheat simply add a splash of milk and heat on a pan until creamy again. You could also microwave to reheat.
VARIATIONS
Noodles: medium shells are my favorite for this recipe because the sauce gets inside the shells and creates the perfect bite! You want to get as much of this blissful cheese sauce as you possibly can. Other options that will capture cheese sauce is macaroni noodles, campanelle and fussili. You can use gluten-free pasta or protein based pasta as well.
Cheese: cheddar is always a mac and cheese classic, however you can you a combination of your favorite cheeses or use gruyere, American, smoked gouda, or Monterey Jack cheese.
Vegetables: diced bell peppers, carrots, chopped cauliflower, peas or butternut squash would be great additions or you can use any or one of them instead of the broccoli.
Additions: some other delicious additions you can add to this recipe is crumbled bacon more more flavor, breadcrumbs for some texture, grated parmesan cheese, and hot sauce for some spice!
LOOKING FOR OTHER HEALTHY COMFORT FOOD RECIPES? TRY THESE!
- Beef Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- 30 Minute Chicken Pot Pie
- P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowls
- Crockpot Whole Lemon Chicken
- Sausage and Vegetable Skillet
- Healthy Turkey Chili
- Turkey Zucchini Meatballs
CAN’T GET ENOUGH?
Subscribe and I’ll send all my newest and FREE recipes to your inbox! You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.
Skinny Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 1 lb. grilled chicken; cooked and cubed
- 2 1/2 cups broccoli; choppied into florets
- 2 Tbsp. salted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4-1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 3 cup cheddar cheese; shredded
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta shells according to package directions. Stirring frequently. Add broccoli florets during the last 2-3 minutes of cook time. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet or large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted add flour and whisk together until combined and smooth. Slowly whisk in milk, chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir often until mixture has thickened, bubbling, and smooth.
- Remove from heat and shredded cheese. Stir until all the cheese has melted into the cheese mixture.
- Add in the drained pasta shells, broccoli, and chopped chicken. Stir to combine until all of the ingredients are combined and all of the pasta shells are evenly coated in the cheese sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!
I have never thought to put chicken in mac and cheese. This looks like total comfort food.
Ohhh love that this is ready so quick! Perfect family-friendly pasta dinner for busy nights!
Love that this dish is with chicken too. One of my family favorite Dinner option. I am a cheesy fan too.
Mac and cheese is my weakness, so I’m glad to have found a “skinny” version! Thanks so much!
I love how quick this is and it’s absolutely delicious. The chicken makes this so much better than an average Mac & cheese.
There is never right or wrong when it comes to comfort dishes like this one. I am absolutely going to make this week, kids will be soo delighted! there is pasta, cheese and chicken in here, plain perfection! Thank you for the inspo dear Kathryn!
I loved this mac and cheese. It came together to so quickly, and the chicken was such a nice touch. Thank you!