Chipotle Chicken Mac and Cheese

Makes 4 servings · 55 min from scratch · about 25 min with the shortcut

Chipotle Chicken Mac and Cheese

Calories
550
Protein
55 g
Carbs
58 g
Fat
9 g

Per serving, from scratch. Shortcut numbers are below.

Or use the shortcut

Ingredients

Chicken Or use the shortcut

  • 1⅓ lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp each salt, chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, dried oregano and ground coriander
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika

Cheese sauce

  • 1⅓ cups 1% cottage cheese
  • 5 light spreadable cheese wedges (or ⅓ cup light cream cheese)
  • 1½ tbsp cheddar cheese powder
  • 4 tsp adobo sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo, plus more to taste
  • Salt and pepper

Pasta

  • 10 oz elbow macaroni
  • Extra adobo sauce, sliced red chile and dried parsley (optional)

Directions

  1. Prep the chicken. Slice each breast in half horizontally into thin cutlets. Rub them with the olive oil, coat them with the spices and refrigerate.
    Shortcut: skip

  2. Make the sauce. Blend the cottage cheese, cheese wedges, cheese powder, adobo sauce, salt and pepper for 30 to 60 seconds, until smooth. Taste and add more adobo if you want it hotter.

  3. Cook the pasta. Boil the macaroni as the package directs.

  4. Cook the chicken. While the pasta cooks, sear the chicken in a skillet over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until it reaches 165°F. Slice it into strips.
    Shortcut: heat instead

  5. Combine. Drain the pasta and put it in a large bowl. Stir in the sauce until every piece is coated.

  6. Divide and store. Divide the pasta between 4 containers and top with the chicken and any extras. Cover and refrigerate. Eat within 3 to 4 days.

Pollo Asado
Pollo Asado · The Stuffed Burrito Co.

Skip the cooking

Use 1 lb Pollo Asado instead

It comes fully cooked and already marinated in citrus and chipotle, so steps 1 and 4 go away. Thaw it in the fridge overnight. Heat it in a skillet over medium high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, turning, until it reaches 165°F. Slice, then lay it over the pasta.

Per serving: 600 cal · 49 g protein · 62 g carbs · 18 g fat. Contains soy and wheat.

Build your box

Want more protein? Use 1 lb Chicken Crumbles. Warm them in a skillet for 3 to 4 minutes with the step 1 spices (leave out the salt). Per serving: 600 cal · 60 g protein · 59 g carbs · 13 g fat.

Nutrition per serving is estimated from USDA data and Portside label values.