Hey, food lovers! If you’re craving something cheesy, creamy, and packed with protein, then this High Protein KFC Chicken Mac & Cheese is for you! It’s the perfect meal for anyone looking to eat clean while still indulging in comfort food. The crispy popcorn chicken combined with rich and creamy mac and cheese makes this dish a winner. With 59g of protein per serving, it’s ideal for meal prepping, post-workout refueling, or just a delicious dinner. Let’s dive into how to make this protein-packed delight!

Method

Prepare the Chicken

Start by preparing the chicken. In a large bowl, combine the diced skinless, boneless chicken breast with the KFC herbs and spices mixture. Toss the chicken pieces to ensure they’re evenly coated in the flavorful spice blend. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and baking powder. Once mixed, dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, making sure each piece is well-coated. Afterward, coat the chicken with the flour, ensuring an even layer on each piece.

Cook the Chicken

Now it’s time to cook the chicken. You can either use an air fryer or a frying pan. If you’re using an air fryer, set the temperature to 190°C (375°F) and cook the chicken for 8-10 minutes or until it’s crispy and golden. If you prefer using a frying pan, heat some oil over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until it’s golden and crispy. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the pan or air fryer and set it aside.

Cook the Pasta

While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni (320g dry weight) and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes until al dente. After the pasta is cooked, drain it and set it aside for the next step.

Make the Cheese Sauce

For the creamy cheese sauce, start by combining the fat-free evaporated milk, light cream cheese, and grated cheddar cheese in a separate saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Once the sauce is smooth, add the smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast (optional) to season it. Stir everything together until combined, ensuring a silky, cheesy sauce.

Assemble the Dish

Now that the cheese sauce is ready, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce in a large pot. Stir the pasta to ensure that each piece is fully coated in the creamy sauce. At this point, you can either add the crispy chicken on top for serving or mix it directly into the pasta for more even distribution. For an extra touch, you can sprinkle more cheese or paprika on top to enhance the flavor and presentation.

Necessary Tools

Large bowl (for chicken and spices)
Small bowl (for whisking eggs)
Frying pan or air fryer (for cooking chicken)
Large pot (for boiling pasta)
Strainer (for draining pasta)
Whisk (for mixing the cheese sauce)
Baking dish (optional, for serving)
Spoon or spatula (for stirring)

High Protein KFC Chicken Mac and Cheese

Recipe by Troy JorgeCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken
700g diced skinless, boneless chicken breast (raw weight)
100g plain all-purpose flour (you’ll only need about 42g, the rest will fall away)
2 eggs (whisked)
3g baking powder
KFC Herbs & Spices (see below for the mix)
KFC Herbs & Spices (use what you have available):
1 tsp salt
1 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ginger powder
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp oregano
For the Mac & Cheese:
320g macaroni/elbow pasta (dry weight)
340ml fat-free evaporated milk (Carnation Light & Creamy)
60g light cream cheese (Philadelphia Light Cream Cheese or 4 light Laughing Cow cheese wedges)
70g grated cheddar cheese (Dairyworks Natural Cheddar Cheese)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp nutritional yeast (optional)

Directions

Prepare the Chicken:
Start by preparing your chicken. In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken with the KFC herbs and spices. Toss the chicken to ensure it’s evenly coated. In another bowl, whisk the eggs and baking powder together. Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture, making sure each piece is well-coated. Then, coat the chicken pieces with the flour, ensuring they’re evenly covered.
Cook the Chicken:
You can cook the chicken using an air fryer or frying pan. For an air fryer, cook the chicken at 190°C (375°F) for about 8-10 minutes, or until crispy and golden. If you’re using a frying pan, heat some oil over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until it’s crispy and cooked through. Set the chicken aside once done.
Cook the Pasta:
While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce:
In a separate saucepan, combine the fat-free evaporated milk, light cream cheese, and grated cheddar cheese. Stir over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast (if using) to season the sauce. Keep stirring until everything is combined.
Assemble the Dish:
Once the cheese sauce is ready, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce in a large pot. Stir until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy sauce. Add the crispy chicken on top or mix it in, depending on your preference. For the best presentation, you can also sprinkle some additional cheese or paprika for a little extra flavor and color.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken. This helps it get crispy and evenly cooked. If needed, cook in batches.
Be careful with the cheese sauce. Stir constantly to prevent it from burning or clumping, and make sure the sauce is smooth before adding the pasta.
Adjust the consistency. If the mac and cheese seems too thick, add a little extra milk to get the desired creaminess.

Serving Suggestions

This High Protein KFC Chicken Mac & Cheese is filling on its own, but you can pair it with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad to balance the richness. It also goes well with some garlic bread if you’re in the mood for a little extra indulgence. For an even higher protein boost, try adding some grilled shrimp or extra chicken!

Fun Fact

Did you know that mac and cheese is often considered one of the most popular comfort foods in the U.S.? It’s creamy, cheesy, and can be made in so many different ways, just like this high-protein version!

Conclusion

This High Protein KFC Chicken Mac & Cheese is a delicious, satisfying meal that’s perfect for meal prep, post-workout, or just a cozy dinner. Packed with 59g of protein per serving, it’s a great way to get your protein fix while enjoying a comforting dish. Whether you eat it as is or add extra protein with chicken or shrimp, this meal is sure to be a hit!