Sweet Chili Chicken Mac and Cheese (Printable Version)

Creamy mac and cheese mingled with spicy sweet chili and crispy chicken for irresistible comfort.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Mac and Cheese Base

01 - 10 ounces elbow macaroni
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 - 1 3/4 cups whole milk
05 - 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
06 - 3 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce
07 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Crispy Chicken

08 - 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
09 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
10 - 1 large egg, beaten
11 - 3/4 cup breadcrumbs or panko
12 - 1 teaspoon paprika
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
14 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ Garnish (optional)

15 - Chopped green onions
16 - Extra Thai sweet chili sauce, for drizzling

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
02 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually pour in milk, continuing to whisk until smooth and thickened, about 2–3 minutes. Add shredded white cheddar and stir until completely melted. Blend in Thai sweet chili sauce, then season with salt and black pepper.
03 - Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour, dip into beaten egg, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs mixed with paprika. In a deep skillet or fryer, heat about 1 inch of oil to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 4–5 minutes per batch. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
04 - Combine drained macaroni with cheese sauce in the saucepan and mix until evenly coated. Portion the creamy macaroni onto plates, top generously with crispy chicken, and finish with a drizzle of sweet chili sauce and a scattering of green onions as desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses easy-to-find ingredients
  • Ready in under one hour
  • Layers of creamy spicy crispy textures in one dish
  • Customizable heat by adding more or less sweet chili sauce
  • It is kid friendly with just enough grownup flair
02 -
  • High in protein thanks to both chicken and cheese
  • Excellent for meal prep make sauce and chicken ahead then reheat
  • Freezes in portions for busy weeks
03 -
  • Shred your own cheese for smoother melt
  • Do not skip seasoning your breading it is key to the chicken flavor
  • Let your cooked pasta cool a bit before mixing with hot cheese sauce so it holds its bite I learned this after one too many mushy batches

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