Bacon, Ranch & Chicken Mac & Cheese

  • 4

Ingredients

  • 8 -oz uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1 slice applewood-smoked bacon
  • 8-oz skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2" pieces
  • 1 TBL flour
  • 1-1/2 C fat-free milk
  • 1/3 C cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
  • 3/4 C (3oz) shredded six-cheese italian blend
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp chopped fresh dill
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • cooking
  • 1/2 C (2oz) shredded colby-jack cheese

Preparation

Step 1

cook pasta according to pkg directions, omitting slat & fat
drain

cook bacon in lg. nonstick skilled over med heat until crisp
remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings in pan
finely chop bacon
set aside
increase heat to med-high
add chicken to drippings in pan
saute 6 min or until done

melt butter in lg. saucepan over med heat
sprinkle flour evenly into pan
cook 2 min, sitrring constantly w/ whisk
combine milk & soup, stirring w/ whisk
gradually add milk mixture to saucepan, stirring w/ whisk
bring to boil
cook 2 min or until thick
remove from heat
let stand 4 min or until sauce cools
add italian cheese blend, onion & garlic powder, dill & salt, stirring until cheese melts
stir in pasta & chicken

preheat broiler

spoon mixture into 8" square baking dish coated w/ cooking spray
sprinkle evenly w/ reserved bacon & colby-jack cheese
broil 3 min or until cheese melts