High Protein KFC Chicken Mac & Cheese

Name: High Protein KFC Chicken Mac & Cheese
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 175g Chicken Breast, diced, boneless & skinless, raw weight; 25g Plain Flour, not all used, around 40 to 45g sticks to the chicken; 1/2 Egg, whisked; 1g Baking Powder; 80g Macaroni Pasta, dry weight, San Remo Elbow; 85ml Fat-Free Evaporated Milk, Carnation Light & Creamy; 15g Light Cream Cheese, Philadelphia Light or 4 light Laughing Cow wedges; 175g Grated Cheddar Cheese, Dairyworks Natural; 1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1/4 tsp Salt; 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder; 1/2 tsp Nutritional Yeast, optional; 1/4 tsp Salt; 1/4 tsp Mustard Powder; 1/4 tsp Thyme; 1/8 tsp Pepper (Black); 1/4 tsp Basil; 1/8 tsp Celery Salt; 1/8 tsp White Pepper; 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder; 1/8 tsp Ginger Powder; 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1/4 tsp Oregano

This high-protein mac and cheese pairs creamy, lightly seasoned pasta with crispy, KFC-style air-fried chicken pieces on top. The chicken is coated in a spiced flour mixture and cooked separately so it stays crunchy, while the macaroni is finished with evaporated milk, light cream cheese, and cheddar for a rich but lighter sauce. A quick microwave stir-through at the end keeps everything hot and velvety.

This high-protein mac and cheese pairs creamy, lightly seasoned pasta with crispy, KFC-style air-fried chicken pieces on top. The ... Show more

By Aussie Fitness ·
KFC-Style Variation of High Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese

Health Grade

C · Balanced

Time

25 min

Price

3,15 €

Calories

1511 kcal

high protein

low sugar

kid friendly

comfort food

Method

Boil the pasta

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the Macaroni Pasta and cook until just tender, following the packet timing as a guide but checking a minute early so it stays slightly firm rather than mushy. Give it a stir early on so the pasta does not stick together.

Drain the macaroni

Drain the macaroni well in a colander and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce components. Do not rinse it; the surface starch helps the cheese sauce cling nicely.

Cut the chicken

Cut the Chicken Breast into bite-sized pieces, aiming for even chunks so they cook at the same speed in the air fryer. Try to keep the pieces fairly similar in size, about nugget-sized, for the most even result.

Mix egg and coating

Crack the Eggs into one bowl and whisk until smooth. In a second bowl, combine the Plain Flour, Baking Powder, Smoked Paprika, Salt, Garlic Powder, Mustard Powder, Thyme, Black Pepper, Basil, Celery Salt, White Pepper, Ginger Powder, Oregano, and the Nutritional Yeast if you are using it. Mix very well so all the spices are evenly distributed through the flour.

Coat the chicken

Dip the chicken pieces into the whisked egg, letting any excess drip off, then toss them through the seasoned flour mixture. Press the coating onto each piece so it really adheres, then shake off any loose flour. Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between the pieces so the hot air can circulate.

Air fry until crisp

Air fry the coated chicken at 375� F until the outside is crisp and the chicken is cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes depending on the size of your pieces and your air fryer. The coating should look dry and lightly golden, and the center of the chicken should no longer be pink. Set the chicken aside and keep it separate from the pasta so it stays crunchy.

Make the cheese sauce

Return the drained macaroni to the pot or transfer it to a microwave-safe bowl. Add the Fat Free Evaporated Milk, Light Cream Cheese, and Grated Cheddar Cheese. Season with a little extra smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper to taste. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, stopping every 45 seconds to stir, until the cheeses melt into a smooth, creamy sauce. If it looks too thick, loosen it with a small splash of milk or a little water, then stir again until glossy and evenly coated.

Assemble and serve

Spoon the creamy mac and cheese into bowls and pile the crispy chicken over the top. Serve right away while the sauce is silky and the coating is still crunchy.