Blackened Chicken Mac and Cheese

Ingredients For the Crispy Bacon – ¼ lbs bacon cut into ¼″ cubes For the Chicken –  2 tbsp butter melted –  ⅓ cup blackening seasoning – 1 lbs chicken sliced thin and trimmed if needed For the Macaroni and Cheese – 1 lb pasta – 2 tbsp butter – 2 tbsp flour –  ½ cup heavy cream –  ½ cup milk –  8 oz sharp cheddar cheese –  ½ cup frozen peas

Instructions Cook the Bacon 1. Preheat a skilled over medium to medium-high heat. 2. Cook bacon in skillet until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined place to drain.

Make the Blackened Chicken 1. Heat griddle or skillet over high heat until smoking. 2. Arrange melted butter in a bowl next to a dish with the blackening spice. 3. Coat the chicken in butter, then cover in a liberal coating of the blackening spice.

4. 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. 5. Cook  for 5 to 7 minutes, turning as needed until all sides are blackened and  chicken is cooked through. 

Boil the pasta 1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to directions on box; Drain and set aside. Make the Macaroni and cheese 1.  In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. 2. Cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the cream and milk. Add the cheese and stir until melted through. 3. 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.

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