Blackened Chicken Bacon Mac

When I really want to seduce my hubs, there are two things he especially craves. LOL. Mac and Cheese and Blackened Chicken. Combine them both and I’m sure to get all the things checked off the honey-do list! He was uber impressed by this as was our son. It gets the Make Again Approval by all ages.

Ingredients

Chicken

1 lb Chicken Breast, boneless and trimmed

2 tsp Blackening Seasoning (see below for creating your own)

3 Tbsp butter

Pasta

12 ounces rotini pasta, uncooked

4 Tbsp butter

4 Tbsp all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

1 tsp salt

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup sour cream

1 lb cooked & crumbled bacon

2 green onions, diced

Blackening Seasoning, optional (adapted from Allrecipes.com. Makes enough to save for later, store in spice jar or sealed container)

1 Tbsp paprika

4 tsp dried thyme

2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp white sugar

2 tsp salt

1-1/2 black pepper

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

3/4 tsp ground cumin

Directions

Chicken

1. Preheat oven to 375° F

2. Generously coat both sides of each chicken breast in blackening seasoning.

3. In cast iron skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat, then add chicken.

4. Sear chicken on each side for 5 to 6 minutes.

5. Bake chicken 10 to 15 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165° F. Remove from oven, let rest 3-5 minutes and slice or chop as preferred.

6. Set aside, keeping warm.

Pasta

1. Cook rotini pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain but do not rinse.

2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk to combine, creating a roux. Cook for 1 minute. Add milk and whisk constantly to combine, cooking for 1-2 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly.

3. Reduce heat to low. Add 1 tsp blackening seasoning and shredded cheese. Stir well until cheese is melted. Remove from heat.

4. Add sour cream and mix well. Add pasta and bacon and stir to combine.

5. Serve topped with chicken, green onions and any additional toppings such as extra bacon pieces, a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, or parmesan.