Here’s a Mac & Cheese with Crispy Fried Chicken combo that’s pure comfort-food royalty 🧀🍗
I’ll break it into two easy parts so everything comes together smoothly.
🧀 Creamy Baked Mac & Cheese
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2½ cups milk (warm)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Optional topping: ½ cup buttered breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain.
- Make cheese sauce:
Melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour; cook 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in milk until smooth and thick. - Add cheese & seasoning:
Stir in cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until melted. - Combine & bake:
Mix pasta with cheese sauce.
Pour into greased baking dish. Add breadcrumbs if using.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until bubbly.
🍗 Crispy Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 4–6 chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 1½ cups buttermilk
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
Breading
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cayenne (optional)
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
Instructions
- Marinate chicken
Soak chicken in buttermilk (and hot sauce if using) for at least 1 hour or overnight. - Bread the chicken
Mix flour and seasonings.
Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge well in flour mixture. - Fry
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep skillet.
Fry chicken 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. - Drain & rest
Place on paper towels or a wire rack.
🔥 How to Serve
- Plate creamy mac & cheese
- Top or serve alongside crispy chicken
- Optional drizzle: hot honey or buffalo sauce
- Add a side of coleslaw or greens for balance
Pro Tips
- Extra cheesy mac: Mix in a spoon of cream cheese
- Ultra crispy chicken: Double-dip (flour → buttermilk → flour)
- Oven option: Bake chicken at 400°F for 40–45 minutes (spray with oil)
If you want, I can turn this into a chicken-tender version, a spicy Nashville-style twist, or a one-pan baked mac with chopped chicken on top 😄
