• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Girl Carnivore logo

  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Poultry Recipes
    • Lamb Recipes
    • Seafood and Fish
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Collections
  • All Recent Recipes
  • Keto & Whole 30 Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » GC Original

    Blackened Chicken Mac and Cheese

    30 mins | Yield 8 | April 17, 2013 | Updated: June 15, 2022 by Kita | This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    • Facebook
    • Pin It
    • Yummly

    Super tasty and ready in no time, when you’re in the mood for crazy good flavors, this Blackened Chicken Mac and Cheese really delivers! With big and bold flavors, every bite is packed with amazing Cajun flavors!

    Blackened Chicken Mac And Cheese | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com

    I’m going to warn you right now: after eating this Blackened Chicken Mac and Cheese, you may not want any other mac and cheese again! It’s that good! Imagine juicy blackened chicken and tender pasta enveloped in a creamy homemade cheese sauce. Did I mention bacon? Heck ya! The salty tang of bacon and fresh green onions add even more to this dish, where the ultra-flavorful chicken is the star of the show.

    This recipe is also a breeze to make. It’s deliciously cheesy, creamy, gooey, and the Cajun chicken goes oh-so-well with it. Does mac and cheese get any better than this?

    What is Blackened Chicken?

    Cajun blackened chicken refers to a specific blend of Cajun seasonings and spices. The chicken is seasoned with this big and bold seasoning and seared in butter in a hot skillet. The cooking reaction from the butter and spices creates a very slightly charred surface without actually burning the chicken so that it is mouth-wateringly tender and juicy inside with a spicy crust on the outside.

    What’s In Cajun Blackening Seasoning?

    Packed with flavor, Cajun blackening seasoning isn’t necessarily spicy (like hot spicy), though you certainly can up the spices to a tongue-burning level if you want to. It’s a blend of paprika, garlic, onion, thyme, and more, all working together to create the most amazing flavors that’ll transport you to Louisiana. 

    Ingredients for Blackened Chicken Mac and cheese

    Ingredients

    • Bacon – Chopped.
    • Butter – Salted.
    • Blackening seasoning – Make your own blend or buy it.
    • Chicken – Breasts or thighs work for this recipe – make it easy on yourself and go with boneless chicken.
    • Pasta – I like rotini, so the sauce gets into all the ridges, but you can use whatever dried pasta shape you like.
    • Milk – Whatever kind you drink will work in the creamy cheese sauce.
    • Heavy cream – Mac and cheese wouldn’t be so indulgent without some cream!
    • Flour – All-purpose flour is going to thicken the cheese sauce.
    • Sharp cheddar cheese – You can use yellow or white. I like white cheese for this sauce.
    • Frozen peas – For a pop of freshness and color. Thaw them before adding them to the dish.
    • Scallions – AKA green onions – a must whenever there’s blackening seasoning used.

    What’s The Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese?

    This blackened chicken pasta recipe needs a good, strong cheddar to stand up to the flavors of the chicken. I love using sharp cheddar in this recipe, or you can splurge with some extra sharp cheddar. Yellow or white, it doesn’t matter. But, you can really use any melty cheese in this easy chicken mac and cheese recipe. Gruyere, mozzarella, gouda (even smoked gouda), Swiss, Monterey Jack …whatever you like! Try mixing the cheeses to find your perfect combination.

    How To Make The Best Cajun Mac and Cheese with Chicken

    To make the chicken

    Heat a flat cast-iron griddle on an outdoor grill until it is smoking. 

    Coat the chicken in butter, then cover it in the blackening seasoning.

    • raw chicken in egg wash

    Cook the chicken on the griddle, turning as needed to blacken all sides until it is cooked through.

    Set the chicken aside and cover it to keep it warm.

    To make the cheese sauce:

    Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions.

    boiling pasta

    Melt the butter in a saucepan, then whisk in the flour. Drizzle in the milk and cream, whisking until it is thickened and just boiling. Add the cheese and stir until melted.

    Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a cast-iron pan (or another heavy skillet) until crispy, and then set it aside. 

    • raw bacon in skillet

    Toss the mac and cheese sauce with the drained pasta, then add the frozen peas and bacon. Top with the blackened chicken and scallions. 

    Grab a fork and dig in!

    Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe Tips

    • Blackened chicken isn’t burnt chicken, but it CAN burn. Keep your eye on it when cooking it. The butter and spices will char, and that’s what you want, but only cook your chicken to 165-F then let it rest. 
    • Slightly undercook the pasta so that it is al dente. It’ll hold up much better in the sauce, and it’ll reheat better, too. Not that you’ll have any leftovers! 
    • Shred your own cheese – the anti-caking agents added to pre-shredded cheese can add a grainy texture to your sauce.
    • Stir constantly when making the cheese sauce and keep the heat lowish – the sauce could burn on the bottom of the pan.
    • Cook outside if you can – if not, turn on the fans in the kitchen because this recipe will smoke up your kitchen.
    • Add sauteed onions, peppers, mushrooms, and all your favorite veggies to this Cajun chicken mac and cheese recipe!
    Blackened Chicken Mac And Cheese | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com

    Storage

    The blackened chicken will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. To reheat, microwave or warm on the stove until heated through. The mac and cheese will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat, microwave or warm on the stove with a splash of milk to thin it, if necessary. I don’t recommend freezing it because the texture of the cheese sauce will be affected.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to make spicy mac and cheese?

    If there’s not enough heat in the blackened seasoning, jazz it up with some cayenne powder or even chipotle powder. Just start with a small amount and taste it; you can always add more.

    Is Cajun chicken mac and cheese easy to make?

    It’s not hard. There are a few steps involved, but you can prep the chicken ahead of time and even make the cheese sauce hours before. Just cook the noodles, warm the sauce, and reheat the chicken before serving!

    Is Blackened Chicken Mac and Cheese good?

    If you love flavor, love mac and cheese, and love chicken, then this is the dish for you! It has it all – it’s creamy, cheesy, meaty, and packed with big and bold flavors!

    Blackened Chicken Mac And Cheese | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com

    More mac and cheese recipes to try

    • Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
    • Jalapeño Mac and Cheese
    • Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
    • Spicy Sausage and Chipotle Mac and Cheese

    If you’ve tried my Blackened Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe, or any other recipe on GirlCarnivore.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below. I get inspired by your feedback and comments! You can also FOLLOW ME  on Instagram @girlcarnivore as well as on  Twitter and Facebook.

    Blackened Chicken Mac And Cheese | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Rate this Recipe!

    Blackened Chicken Mac and Cheese

    Blackened Chicken Mac and Cheese take flavors to new levels! This creamy, gooey, meaty, and delicious meal is easy to fix, and when it's this good, you'd better not expect much leftover!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Kita Roberts
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 567kcal

    Equipment

    • 10-12″ Cast Iron Skillet or other oven safe skillet

    Ingredients

    For the Crispy Bacon

    • ¼ lbs bacon cut into ¼″ cubes

    For the Chicken

    • 2 tablespoon butter melted
    • ⅓ cup blackening seasoning
    • 1 lbs chicken sliced thin and trimmed if needed

    For the Macaroni and Cheese

    • 1 lb pasta
    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • 2 tablespoon flour
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • ½ cup milk
    • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
    • ½ cup frozen peas

    Garnish

    • scallions sliced thin

    Instructions

    Cook the Bacon

    • Preheat a skilled over medium to medium-high heat.
    • Cook bacon in skillet until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined place to drain.

    Make the Blackened Chicken

    • Heat griddle or skillet over high heat until smoking.
    • Arrange melted butter in a bowl next to a dish with the blackening spice. 
    • Coat the chicken in butter, then cover in a liberal coating of the blackening spice. 
    • When the griddle surface is smoking, turn on a fan for ventilation and add the chicken. Reduce heat to medium-high if needed to prevent burning.
    • Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning as needed until all sides are blackened and chicken is cooked through. Remove from griddle and cover while preparing the macaroni.

    Boil the pasta

    • In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to directions on box; Drain and set aside.

    Make the Macaroni and cheese

    • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. 
    • Cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the cream and milk. Add the cheese and stir until melted through.
    • Toss cheese sauce over pasta. Add the frozen peas and bacon.

    Garnish and Serve

    • Place heaping portions of macaroni and cheese on plate, top with chicken and garish with freshly sliced scallions.

    Notes

    A large cast-iron griddle or skillet works best for an even blackened coating on the chicken. If you have a Blackstone or griddle grill, that is even better! 
    This recipe gets smoky, so work under a well-ventilated good or outside on the grill. 
    For blackening seasoning, we use Spiceology Black Magic or Chef Paul Magic Seasoning Blends (found at most grocery stores)

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Blackened Chicken Mac and Cheese
    Amount Per Serving (1 g)
    Calories 567 Calories from Fat 288
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 32g49%
    Saturated Fat 17g106%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 10g
    Cholesterol 96mg32%
    Sodium 2981mg130%
    Potassium 291mg8%
    Carbohydrates 47g16%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 23g46%
    Vitamin A 815IU16%
    Vitamin C 4mg5%
    Calcium 251mg25%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information provided is an estimate. For specific health concerns, please put the recipe into your Dr recommended nutrition calculator.
    Made My Recipe?Mention @girlcarnivore and tag #girlcarnivore!
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Flipboard
    • Yummly
    « Big Boy Beef Sandwiches
    Cabbage Rolls »

    About Kita

    Hey, I'm Kita, the Meat Maven, outdoor junkie, campfire connoisseur, adventure-seeking and world traveled recipe developer and photographer behind GirlCarnivore.com. My mission is to break down savory eats and inspire you to get a little grit under your nails while having fun with your food. READ MORE

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

      April 17, 2013 at 12:35 pm

      Huge globs of melty cheese is better than washboard flat abs any day!

      Reply
    2. Cassie | Bake Your Day says

      April 17, 2013 at 1:25 pm

      Totally drooling here at 8:25 am. Love this one!

      Reply
    3. Jen @JuanitasCocina says

      April 18, 2013 at 2:10 am

      See…I don’t even have any words.

      Reply
    4. Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says

      April 22, 2013 at 3:35 pm

      I am so with you. Cheese and noodles. Bacon. I mean can it get much better. Total heath food because of the peas and blackened chicken.

      Reply
    5. Anjo Angela Lim says

      April 29, 2013 at 2:16 am

      Num num num. Looks like something out of a restaurant. Too beautiful. I’d like one please. :3

      Reply

    Tried this recipe? Leave feedback or a comment about it! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore

    Hi, I’m Kita! The meat maven for GirlCarnivore®. I’m a freelancing creator, recipe developer, photographer, and world-traveling food junkie. 

    More about me →

    Check out the GirlCarnivore® Spiceline!

    Newest Posts

    • Diner-Style Ham and Cheese Omelet
    • Grilled Ham Steaks with Brown Sugar-Mustard Glaze
    • Traeger 3-2-1 Ribs
    • BBQ Pork Steak

    Fan Favorite Recipes

    • New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
    • Perfect Oven-Roasted Rack of Pork
    • Smoked Beef Tenderloin
    • Char-grilled Roast Beef

    Stay Up to Date

    Thanks for signing up! Check your email for a confirmation and make sure you actually signed up. Ugh technology.

    Footer

    About Girl Carnivore

    Girl Carnivore is a food site designed to inspire cooks from beginner to pro with recipes created by chef and culinary expert, Kita Roberts.  From savory burgers, to healthy meals, global flavor infusions cooked over grills, livefire, or in traditional ovens, #GirlCarnivore is here to help you break down barriers and make cooking fun again.

    As Seen On

    2022 as seen on girl carnivore media logos

    Content on GirlCarnivore.com may feature affiliate links which help support the site by paying me a commission if you use the link to purchase the product. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    • home
    • Work with Girl Carnivore
    • Sitemap

    Copyright © 2022 Girl Carnivore® • Privacy Policy

    • 1059
    • 7