Chicken macaroni and cheese

Preparation time 20 minutes

Total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

560 mL (2¼ cups) macaroni
60 mL (¼ cup) butter
1 large onion, finely diced
60 mL (¼ cup) all purpose flour
1 L (4 cups) milk
500 mL (2 cups) grated Sensations by Compliments, Canadian Cheddar Cheese Aged 2 years
2 mL (½ tsp.) each of salt and pepper
750 g (1½ lb.) skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 4), cut into cubes
60 mL (¼ cup) chopped chives
Ceasar Salad, as a side

Cook pasta according to package instructions, but reduce cooking time by 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Heat half the butter over medium heat in the same saucepan. Add onion and cook, stirring for 5 to 8 minutes, or until tender. Sprinkle evenly with flour. Cook for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. While stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Cook, stirring frequently, for 10 to 12 minutes or until sauce thickens slightly. Stir in cheese and cooked macaroni.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat remaining butter in skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 10 to 12 minutes or until browned all over and cooked through.
Divide pasta evenly, top each serving with some chicken and garnish with chives. Serve with a side of salad.

You can freeze leftover servings for quick, nutritious, heat-up meals.

Pasta is excellent for athletes because of its carbohydrate content. The chicken and cheese add protein making this the ideal post-training meal.