This queso mac-n-cheese with chicken combines roasted vegetables, a blended cheese sauce, and pasta for a hearty slow cooker meal.
A QUICK NOTE
Cook the pasta for only half of the package time before adding it to the slow cooker; it will finish cooking in the queso sauce. Because the enchilada sauce, cheese, and cheddar powder all add sodium, you can start with less salt and adjust to taste before serving.
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CHICKEN
2 pounds thin-sliced chicken breasts
½ cup red enchilada sauce
3 tablespoons green chiles
1 (14-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes
2 tablespoons garlic purée
2 teaspoons onion powder
Up to 1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
ROASTED VEGETABLES
2 orange bell peppers, diced
2 red bell peppers, diced
1 onion, diced
BLENDED QUESO SAUCE
3⅓ cups low-fat or 2% cottage cheese
½ cup one-third-less-fat cream cheese
5 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
¼ cup cheddar powder
½ cup red enchilada sauce
⅔ cup fat-free Fairlife milk
24 ounces pasta of choice
Chopped cilantro, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Spread the diced bell peppers and onion on a baking sheet. Roast for 20–25 minutes, or until softened and lightly browned. Set aside.
3. Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Add ½ cup enchilada sauce, green chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic purée, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Stir to coat evenly.
4. Add the roasted vegetables. Cover and cook on high for 2–3 hours or on low for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
5. While the chicken cooks, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for half of the package time. Drain and set aside.
6. Add the cottage cheese, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, cheddar powder, the remaining ½ cup enchilada sauce, and milk to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
7. Once the chicken is fully cooked, shred it directly in the slow cooker using two forks.
8. Add the partially cooked pasta and blended queso sauce. Stir until evenly coated. Cover and cook on low for 15–20 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
9. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.
