Best Chicken Florentine Mac And Cheese Recipes

FLORENTINE MAC AND CHEESE AND ROAST CHICKEN SAUSAGE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place a large pot of water on to boil for pasta. When it comes to a boil, salt it and add the pasta to cook to al dente. Strain pasta reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
• While the water is coming to a boil, in a large mixing bowl combine the chicken, salt and pepper, rosemary, fennel seeds, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano - a rounded handful, egg and bread crumbs. *If the mixture seems too wet, add a handful of bread crumbs and mix together.
• Form 8 large round balls, about 3 to 4-inches. Coat balls in a couple of tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil and lightly grease a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange balls on the baking sheet and roast 17 to 18 minutes until juices run clear.
• Defrost spinach in microwave 8 to 10 minutes on "defrost" setting depending on the microwave. Place the boxes in a shallow dish to catch any run off.
• While the meatballs roast, in a medium sauce pot over medium heat, melt butter, whisk in flour, cook 1 minute then whisk in stock and milk, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and thicken 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 cup grated Parmigiano and reduce heat on lowest setting.
• Wring spinach completely dry in clean kitchen towel then separate as you add it to the sauce. Also add the reserved 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.
• Toss pasta with the spinach-white sauce and adjust seasonings.
• Serve Florentine Mac-n-Cheese with 2 meatballs per person along side.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Heat half the butter in a braiser over medium heat. Add the chicken, then sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, then stir and cook briefly. Add the chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the pan as it boils. Add the milk, cream and the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and cook, stirring, until it is warmed through and the sauce is simmering.
• Toss together the Cheddar, fontina and cornstarch in a bowl.
• Sprinkle the shredded cheese mixture into the pan, stirring constantly until the cheese is completely melted. Add the processed cheese cubes and allow them to melt. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken, about 1 minute. Add the cooked macaroni, the spinach and tomatoes, then stir until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Garnish with the fresh parsley and serve.

FLORENTINE MAC AND CHEESE AND ROAST CHICKEN SAUSAGE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.Place a large pot of water on to boil for pasta. When it comes to a boil, salt it and add the pasta to cook to al dente. Strain pasta reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.While the water is coming to a boil, in a large mixing bowl combine the chicken, salt and pepper, rosemary, fennel seeds, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano - a rounded handful, egg and bread crumbs. *If the mixture seems too wet, add a handful of bread crumbs and mix together.Form 8 large round balls, about 3 to 4-inches. Coat balls in a couple of tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil and lightly grease a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange balls on the baking sheet and roast 17 to 18 minutes until juices run clear.Defrost spinach in microwave 8 to 10 minutes on "defrost" setting depending on the microwave. Place the boxes in a shallow dish to catch any run off.While the meatballs roast, in a medium sauce pot over medium heat, melt butter, whisk in flour, cook 1 minute then whisk in stock and milk, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and thicken 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 cup grated Parmigiano and reduce heat on lowest setting.Wring spinach completely dry in clean kitchen towel then separate as you add it to the sauce. Also add the reserved 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.Toss pasta with the spinach-white sauce and adjust seasonings.Serve Florentine Mac-n-Cheese with 2 meatballs per person along side.