It’s official, our daughter has chosen where she is going to university, deposits paid, and so begins the journey. We’re excited for her but will miss her very much. It’s time though, she’s ready to fly. Now that tax season is over we’ll be going over any gaps in her knowledge with recipes, budgeting, etc. She actually is pretty good with this stuff but she has a list of things she wants to make sure she knows. Trust me, we are not sending our kids out into the world without knowing how to write a check or do laundry.
A big thing as she heads out into the world is knowing how to cook cheap and delicious meals. The kids had mentioned an idea of Chicken Corden Bleu Mac and Cheese that they were playing round with at the other house which would fit the bill. As it is a cool and rainy spring, we’re still in the comfort food season which makes this meal perfect.
Making the Chicken Corden Bleu Mac and Cheese
This can definitely be made on the cheap. Use chicken thighs instead of breast, lemon juice instead of white wine, etc.
Marinate the chicken a few hours beforehand. Whisk the ingredients together and add the chicken. Cover and chill in the fridge.
Grill the chicken until just cooked. It will then be cooked more in a skillet and oven so you don’t want to end up with rubbery chicken. It’s bad enough as a strange toy but awful when eating! I discovered I was out of propane for the grill so inside it was. We use our cast iron griddle constantly. Pity it’s so heavy!
While making the sauce cook up the pasta. Melt the butter and add the onion. Cook until they start to become translucent. Add the garlic and mustard. Bring to a simmer, careful not to let it catch. Add the flour and whisk thoroughly. Cook for a few minutes while whisking, Then add the remaining marinade, wine and milk. Keep stirring until it comes to a boil but don’t boil over! With milk it can happen in a blink which creates quite a mess.
In goes the cheese, chicken (cubed) and ham. Simmer until the cheese has melted and you have a creamy thick mixture.
Pour into the baking pan with the pasta and mix well. Top with panko bread crumbs.
Bake until the top is nice and golden.
It is ready to serve as soon as it is out of the oven. We did carb overload with fresh baked bread my husband made. It’s so good with butter! It went quickly as I found when I went to have some for lunch and it was all gone!
Chicken Corden Bleu Mac and Cheese
Comfort food with a twist. Grilled chicken with corden bleu flavours.
Ingredients
Marinade and Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast 16oz/454g
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp dry white wine
- 1 tbsp brown mustard
- 3-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Mac and Cheese
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 large onion, coarsely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1-2 tbsp brown mustard
- sea salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine 4oz
- 2 cups milk 16oz
- 2 cups shredded jarlsberg cheese
- 3-5 slices ham, chopped
- 1 lb pasta
- Panko Bread crumbs to cover top
Instructions
Marinade and Chicken
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Whisk the ingredients together. Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Coat and cover the chicken with the marinade and chill in the fridge for a few hours.
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When it’s time to make the dish, grill the chicken until just done. Cube and set aside.
Mac and Cheese
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Pre heat the oven to 350F/175C
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Cook the pasta
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In a saucepan, melt the butter. Add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the garlic, mustard and sea salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes then add the flour to create the roux. Cook additional few minutes. Add the remaining marinade, wine and milk. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Next add the chicken and ham.
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Add the pasta and sauce to a baking dish. Top with the panko bread crumbs.
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Bake until the bread crumbs are golden. Then serve.