• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

50+ Macro Friendly Chicken Recipes

Browse

Lauren Fit Foodie

Healthy and Easy, but make it Delicious!

Main Menu
  • Browse Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • By Course
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Main Entrees
      • Sauces & Dressings
      • Side Dishes
      • Snacks
    • By Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • High Protein
      • Macro-friendly
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • By Protein
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Eggs/Egg Whites
      • Ham/Pork
      • Meatless
      • Protein Powder
      • Seafood
      • Turkey
    • By Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Crock-Pot
      • Grill
      • Microwave
      • No-Bake
      • Oven-Baked
      • Stovetop
    • By Type
      • Casserole
      • One Pot/One Pan/One Dish
      • Meal Prep
      • Sheet Pan
      • 30 Minutes or Less
    • Most Popular
    • Roundups & Guides
  • New? Start Here
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • Health & Nutrition
  • About
    • About Me
  • Subscribe To Email Updates
  • Download My New App!
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok

Join the Fit Cookie Club!

Join
Login
Display Search Bar
All Recipes
< 30 Minutes
FitCookieClub Login
5 from 16 votes
Home By Type 30 Minutes or Less

Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese (30-Minute)

This Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy and bursting with Mediterranean flavors in each bite! It's lightened up and packed with protein and works great for an easy dinner or meal prep!

Jump to RecipeRatePrint Share

Share on:

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
Lauren
By: Lauren published: Jan. 10, 2023 updated: Sep. 02, 2024 19 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Tuscan chicken mac and cheese in a skillet.
Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese Pin.
Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Tuscan Mac and Cheese
Ingredients and Substitutions
Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptions
How To Make
Tuscan Mac and Cheese Tips!
FAQ: Tuscan Mac and Cheese
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

Another mac and cheese recipe and you know I’m here for it! This is a great comfort food dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. It has all the best flavors and is seriously so cozy!

Since this tuscan macaroni and cheese comes together so quickly it makes an awesome weeknight dinner option. But it also holds up great in the fridge, so it works good for meal prep too.

This is an all-in-one dish with protein, carbs and veggies, so you may not want to serve it with anything else but if you do, something simple like broccoli or green beans would be good.

For more protein packed mac and cheese, try cottage cheese macaroni or buffalo chicken mac and cheese

Tuscan chicken mac and cheese in a skillet.

Why You’ll Love This Tuscan Mac and Cheese

  • The perfect healthier take on comfort food!
  • Macro-balanced and packed with lots of fresh veggies, carbs and lean protein.
  • Made in 30 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep
  • A family favorite! Customize or omit veggies to your family’s preferences!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients for tuscan mac and cheese.
  • Chicken – I used chicken breasts but chicken thighs would also work. You could also use rotisserie chicken here and skip the step with cooking the chicken.
  • Macaroni noodles – I used large elbow macaroni noodles but any short pasta will work here. Use your favorite pasta or gluten-free if needed.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes – the kind in oil.
  • Olive oil – make sure to use light olive oil for sautéing, extra virgin olive oil may work, it’s just more likely to burn. You could also use avocado oil, vegetable oil or canola oil.
  • Mushrooms – I used bella mushrooms. If mushrooms aren’t your thing, you can always replace with another vegetable or leave out entirely.
  • Onion – I used a yellow onion a white onion onion or shallot would also work!
  • Butter – we’ll use a little butter for this recipe just to bring some classic rich flavor to this mac and cheese dish. Use dairy-free if needed.
  • Flour – I used all purpose flour for this recipe. Use gluten-free flour if needed.
  • Milk – I used unsweetened almond milk but any milk works. For a richer taste, use heavy cream or half and half. 
  • Chicken broth – You could also use chicken stock or vegetable broth. Or sub for white wine if you’re feeling fancy. 
  • Seasonings – Grab some salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning!
  • Shredded cheese – I used sharp cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. Please get the block and freshly shred, it makes all the difference! Use dairy-free cheese if needed.
  • Spinach – I used baby spinach. You can also replace with arugula or kale or omit completely. Fresh basil would also be delish and would add a ton of flavor!

Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptions

  • Switch up the cheeses: Sharp cheddar and mozzarella are classic for mac and cheese but feel free to swap for different kinds of cheese! Gouda, Gruyere, Muenster and white cheddar cheese would also be AMAZING.
  • Switch up the vegetables: Mushrooms not your thing? Feel free to leave out or simply replace with another veggie. Red bell pepper, green beans, asparagus, or any leftover veggies you have on hand.
  • Switch up the pasta: Elbow macaroni is classic, but you can use any type of short pasta. Shells, penne, bowties, etc. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed according to package directions for al dente pasta!
  • Use different types of chicken: Instead of cooking chicken with this recipe, you can throw in rotisserie chicken, or BBQ chicken. Check out this basic shredded chicken recipe for an easy bulk protein! 
  • Switch up the protein: Ground turkey, ground beef, Italian sausage, there really is no wrong answer.
  • Make vegetarian: You can leave out the chicken entirely or replace with tofu. 

How To Make

The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!

Cooked pasta in a strainer.

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Sprinkle generously with salt. Add the dry pasta to the large pot of salted water and cook for 8-10 minutes (or according to package directions so that the pasta is al dente). When done, rinse the cooked pasta with cool water and drain, then set aside. 

Chopped onion with olive oil in a skillet.

2. Heat 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook for about 2 minutes.

Sliced mushrooms and diced onion in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

3. Then add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 4-5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.  

Pieces of cooked chicken in a skilet with a wooden spoon.

4. Heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil over on stove top on medium heat on a cast iron skillet or skillet or choice. When warm, add the chicken and season chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink. Transfer to a bowl (with the mushrooms is fine) and set aside. 

Tuscan chicken mac and cheese sauce ingredients in a saucepan with a whisk.

5. Wipe the bottom of the pan or skillet clean and melt butter over medium heat. As it starts to melt, whisk in the flour. Then whisk in the milk, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Increase to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Continue whisking frequently for 4-5 minutes or until mixture becomes thick.

Shredded cheese added to the sauce mixture in a saucepan.

6. Then remove from heat and stir in both cheeses. Once melted, taste and add any salt or seasonings as needed.

Tuscan chicken mac and cheese topped with basil and seasonings.

7. Cut sun dried tomatoes into small pieces. To the skillet with the cheese sauce, fold in the sun dried tomatoes, cooked macaroni, spinach leaves, chicken, mushrooms and onions.

Tuscan chicken mac and cheese in a skillet.

8. Mix until everything is well combined. Sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper and freshly grated parmesan cheese to serve! Throw some freshly chopped herbs on top too if you have them!

Tuscan Mac and Cheese Tips!

  • Use freshly shredded cheese – This is super important! Pre-shredded cheese just does melt quite like freshly shredded cheese does. I used to think it took a lot more time to shred your cheese but it literally takes less than a minute! Don’t skip it!
  • Cook your pasta al dente – Only cook pasta until it is al dente then quickly rinse the pasta with cool water and set aside (this stops the cooking process). Overcooking the pasta can result in mushy pasta that doesn’t hold up well. We don’t want that!
  • Cut your chicken into even size bites – this ensures the chicken cooks evenly without having any pieces of overcooked or undercooked.

Tuscan chicken mac and cheese in bowls.

FAQ: Tuscan Mac and Cheese

How is this mac and cheese best served?

Since this dish has chicken, it is very macro-balanced and filling and a great dish to eat on it’s own! If you’re wanting a little something more, you can always serve with a simple salad, broccoli, or some light soup.

Does this mac and cheese reheat well? 

It reheats great! Just make sure you cook your pasta until it is al dente and then rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Overcooking the pasta is typically the main culprit if your mac and cheese starts to gets mushy when reheating. You can reheat leftovers in on the stovetop over medium-low hear or in the microwave. I recommend adding adding a few splashes of water or milk to the mac and cheese to help thin sauce and keep noodles from drying out. 

Does this mac and cheese work good for meal prep? 

It works awesome for meal prep! Again, just make sure you don’t overcook your pasta.

Can I freeze this mac and cheese? 

It’s not going to be quite as amazing as fresh but you can. If doing this, try to leave pasta a smidge undercooked so it doesn’t get overcook or get mushy when reheated.
Store mac and cheese in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Sure thing! The chicken cooks separately so it’s easy to leave out of this recipe. You can just omit or replace with a plant-based alternative, like tofu if you prefer.

More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

Cottage cheese mac and cheese on a plate.

Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese (High Protein!)

Healthy Tuscan Pasta Salad 

Rotini pasta bake in a baking dish after being baked.

Easy Healthy Rotini Pasta Bake

Buffalo chicken mac and cheese with cauliflower in small bowl garnished with Ritz crackers.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower 

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!

Tuscan chicken mac and cheese in a skillet.
Rate Recipe Print Pin for Later Share
5 from 16 votes

Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese

? High Protein ? Macro-friendly
This Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy and bursting with Mediterranean flavors in each bite! It's lightened up and packed with protein and works great for an easy dinner or meal prep!
Yield: 8
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 20 minutes mins
Total: 30 minutes mins
Calories: 395kcal
Protein: 27.4g
Fat: 15g
Carbs: 37.6g

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. boneless chicken breast cut into small, equal bite-size pieces
  • 12 oz. large elbow macaroni
  • 8 oz. sun dried tomatoes (in oil) drained and chopped
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil (15g) divided
  • 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion (75g) diced
  • 1 Tbsp butter (15g)
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (15g)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240g)
  • 1.75 cups milk (420g) any dairy or nondairy, I used almond here
  • 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt + 1/4 tsp pepper more to taste
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (112g) freshly shredded
  • 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese (84g) freshly shredded
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.

Instructions

  • Cook pasta: Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Sprinkle generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or according to package instructions so that the pasta is al dente. When done, rinse the pasta with cool water and drain, then set aside.
  • Saute vegetables: Heat 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the onion, saute for 2 minutes, then add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook for another 5 minutes or until tender. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  • Cook chicken: Heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. When warm, add the chicken and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink. Transfer to a bowl (with the mushrooms is fine) and set aside.
  • Make cheese sauce: Wipe skillet clean and melt the butter over medium heat. As it starts to melt, whisk in the flour. Then whisk in the milk, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Continue whisking frequently for 4-5 minutes or until mixture becomes thick. Then remove from heat and stir in both cheeses. Taste and add any salt or seasonings to taste.
  • Making the mac and cheese: Cut sun dried tomatoes into small pieces. To the skillet with the cheese sauce, fold in the sun dried tomatoes, cooked macaroni, spinach, chicken, mushrooms and onions and mix until everything is well combined. Sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper to serve!

Equipment

  • Cheese grater optional

Notes

To make gluten-free: use gluten-free pasta and gluten-free flour
To make dairy-free: use dairy-free butter, dairy-free milk (unsweetened plain almond, cashew, soy, etc) and dairy-free cheese 
Helpful Tips
  • Use freshly shredded cheese – This is super important! Pre-shredded cheese just does melt quite like freshly shredded cheese does. I used to think it took a lot more time to shred your cheese but it literally takes less than a minute! Don’t skip it!
  • Cook your pasta al dente – Only cook pasta until it is al dente then quickly rinse the pasta with cool water and set aside (this stops the cooking process). Overcooking the pasta can result in mushy pasta that doesn’t hold up well. We don’t want that!
  • Cut your chicken into even size bites – this ensures the chicken cooks evenly without having any pieces of overcooked or undercooked.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1.5 cups (278g), Calories: 395kcal (20%), Carbohydrates: 37.6g (13%), Protein: 27.4g (55%), Fat: 15g (23%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Fiber: 4g (17%), Sugar: 2g (2%)

Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.

MyFitnessPal Entry

LFF Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese

© Author: Lauren

Tuscan chicken mac and cheese in a skillet.

Did You Make This?

We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so we can see your creations!

Rate Recipe
Tag on Instagram
21031 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
Lauren

Lauren

Lauren lives with her husband, Simon and two dogs, Finley and Cookie, in the Carolina’s. She has college degrees in Nursing and Exercise Science, is a NASM certified trainer and spent many years as a macro coach before transitioning to full time blogging. She loves staying active, being creative and recreating her favorite comfort food dishes into healthier, lightened up versions. Desserts are her speciality!

Read More
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




guest
Recipe Rating




19 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

sidebar

Hey There!

I’m Lauren, a food lover sharing healthy, macro-friendly recipes that taste good and you can feel good about eating. Here you’ll find everything from breakfasts to easy dinners to lightened up desserts because desserts are absolutely mandatory around here!

Read More

Subscribe to email updates!

Loading

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy.

new!

Weekly Meal Plans

In a meal prep rut and need some healthy meal inspiration? Get new downloadable macro-friendly meal plans & exclusive recipes sent to your inbox EVERY week for just $10/month!

join now!

Reader Favorites

Crockpot taco pasta on a plate with a fork.

Super Easy Crockpot Taco Pasta (10-Minute Prep!)

Slices of skinny chocolate chip banana bread on a plate with banana slices and chocolate chips.

Skinny Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (Low Calorie + One Banana)

Two high protein chicken enchiladas topped with cilantro on a plate with a fork.

High Protein Chicken Enchiladas (30 minutes, 7 ingredients)

Low calorie egg salad on a sandwich with greens, cut in halves and stacked vertically.

Low Calorie Egg Salad (Higher Protein, Lower Fat)

Healthy chicken curry with rice and pita bread in a bowl.

The Most Yummy Healthy Chicken Curry (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Starbucks spinach feta wraps stacked on a plate.

Copycat Starbucks Spinach Feta Wrap Recipe (Double the Protein!)

Ninja creami vanilla protein ice cream topped with chocolate chip cookie pieces and rainbow sprinkles in a glass bowl.

Ninja Creami Vanilla Protein Ice Cream Recipe (The Perfect Base!)

Healthy Crockpot White Chicken Chili topped with shredded cheese, avocado, and sour cream in a bowl with a spoon.

Healthy Crockpot White Chicken Chili (High-Protein!)

Meal Prep Recipes

Chicken Caesar Pinwheels on a tray.

Chicken Caesar Pinwheels

Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Rice Bowls

Sheet Pan Chicken Cornflake Dinner on a baking sheet with foil.

Sheet Pan Cornflake Chicken Dinner

Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs (30-Minute, High Protein)

Rainbow chicken salad on two pieces of toast and greens.

Rainbow Chicken Salad (Lightened-Up)

Sheet Pan Eggs-in-a-Hole in a platter.

Sheet Pan Eggs-in-a-Hole

Elote Ground Turkey Skillet topped with sour cream on a plate with a fork.

Elote Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet (High protein!)

Sausage pancake breakfast bake with blueberries in a baking dish being served.

Blueberry Sausage Pancake Breakfast Bake (Easy Meal Prep!)

Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls with

Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Cottage cheese egg bake with a side of greens on a plate.

Cottage Cheese Egg Bake (High Protein)

NEW!

Join the Fit Cookie Club!

In a meal prep rut and needs some inspiration? Get new weekly healthy meal plans and exclusive recipes for just $10/month!

Subscribe now!

follow along

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok

recipes

Breakfast
Lunch & Dinner
Dessert
Meal Prep

explore

New? Start Here
Cookbooks
Dessert
Fit Cookie Club

get my cookbooks!

Get ALL the recipes in both my macro-friendly cookbooks when you join Fit Cookie club!

Join now!
Back to Top
Privacy Policy
Disclosure
Accessibility
Contact
Back to Top
© 2025 Lauren Fit Foodie
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
21.0K shares
wpDiscuz