Dinner · american
Boxed Mac and Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken and Peas
Boxed mac with pulled rotisserie chicken and peas takes a pantry staple from side dish to actual dinner without adding any meaningful work.
How to make it
Cook macaroni per box directions.
Add frozen peas in the last 2 minutes of pasta cooking.
Drain and return to pot. Stir in butter, milk, and cheese powder per box instructions.
Pull or chop rotisserie chicken into small pieces and stir in.
Serve immediately.
Kraft Original mac is the classic and what most kids prefer. Annie's Shells and White Cheddar is a popular step-up option. Any store's rotisserie chicken works. Pull it while the pasta cooks, which takes about 90 seconds. Frozen peas from any brand drop straight into the boiling pasta water and need no separate prep.
Add a handful of frozen corn along with the peas for extra color and sweetness. Stir in a spoonful of cream cheese for a richer sauce that holds up longer without getting dry. For older kids, a light dusting of smoked paprika on top adds flavor without making it unfamiliar.
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