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Lighter Mac & Cheese with Chicken & Tomatoes

By Courtney 42 Comments

Good MORNING! How’s everyone doing on this fine Wednesday morning?

Things are going well over here…I’m just feeling a bit spazzy this week with trying to get things ready for HLS (already this weekend!) and organizing everything else that is my life. Gosh I wish I was better with time management…

Last night Jay and I had my in-laws over for dinner and we had this thing of beauty.

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Homemade mac and cheese with chicken and tomatoes, baby! I actually just slightly adapted one of my previous mac and cheese recipes to come up with this one and I think it was enjoyed by all…at least I’m assuming so, since the four of us polished the pan clean. Winking smile

(You guys can check out the recipe by scrolling down to the bottom of this post!)

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My in-laws brought over some fresh corn on the cob to have with dinner and it was, by far, the best we’ve had so far this season. Dinner may have been full of starchy carbs and not super colorful…but it was pretty darn delicious.

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Shortly after dinner, we finished up the evening with a little dessert.

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I used up my box of “reduced guilt” brownies that I bought from Trader Joe’s last week, and prepared them with a container of black cherry Greek yogurt. They were almost more cake-like than brownies, but they still tasted fantastic along with a little ice cream.

*****

This morning Jay had to be up and out early for work, so I took that as a cue to really get up on time and get a head start on my day. Lately, I’ve been waiting to do my workouts until almost noon, and I really just don’t enjoy waiting that long. So today, I laced up my sneaks right away and headed down to the treadmill for a walk.

One hour, 3.5 miles, and two chapters later, I was ready for some breakfast.

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It’s Waffle Wednesday!

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Topped with almond butter, banana slices, cinnamon, and chia seeds. Yummmm.

*****

Alright, if you’ve scrolled down looking for a recipe…have no fear!

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I’ve got it for ya right here. Smile

Lighter Mac & Cheese with Chicken & Tomatoes

(adapted from my Chicken, Bacon, & Ranch Mac & Cheese)

Ingredients:

    • 8 ounces uncooked pasta (I used whole wheat shells)
    • 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken breast
    • 1 (15oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
    • 1 tablespoon canola oil
    • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • 1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
    • 1/3 cup condensed 98% fat-free cream of chicken soup, undiluted
    • 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or, if you can find it, use a Mac & Cheese blend)
    • 1/2 tsp onion powder
    • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
    • 1/4 tsp dried dill
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mac & Cheese blend)

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; sprinkle flour evenly into pan. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk. Combine milk and soup, stirring with a whisk; gradually add milk mixture to saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick. Remove from heat; let stand 4 minutes or until sauce cools to 155°. Add Mac & Cheese blend, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, and salt, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in pasta, chicken, and diced tomatoes.
  3. Preheat broiler. Spoon mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Broil 3-5 minutes or until cheese melts.  Enjoy!

*****

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Related

August 15, 2012 Filed Under: Breakfast, Dinner, Family, Recipes, Walking Tagged With: corn on the cob, iced coffee, in-laws, light mac & cheese recipe, lighter mac and cheese with chicken and tomatoes, trader joe's brownie mix, treadmill walk, waffles

About Courtney

I'm a working mom of two beautiful little boys, Lucas and Alex, and I began writing Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life in April 2010. I enjoy chronicling my love of food (healthy and indulgent!), baking, motherhood, fitness, fashion, and everything in between!

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Comments

  1. Amy says

    August 15, 2012 at 9:31 am

    That looks super yummy! :) I will definitely have to try it!
    Reply
  2. Khushboo says

    August 15, 2012 at 9:35 am

    Healthified or not, those brownies look great!! Good luck getting everything sorted- I always get so stressed before I travel ah!
    Reply
  3. Alyssa @ fit and fun in third says

    August 15, 2012 at 9:36 am

    This looks amazing! Mac & cheese is my ultimate comfort food, so any way to "lighten it up" is great!!
    Reply
  4. Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says

    August 15, 2012 at 9:47 am

    This recipe looks so so good! I'm definitely trying it!
    Reply
  5. Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:04 am

    Oh my gosh - yum! Can't wait to make this cheesy goodness! ;)
    Reply
  6. Danica @ It's Progression says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:05 am

    Walking on the treadmill and reading is one my favorite low-impact workouts--I feel like I'm being so great at multitasking! :)
    Reply
  7. Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:05 am

    I can't wait for HLS! That mac and cheese looks soo good, I love when the cheese on top gets brown and crispy, it is the best part!
    Reply
  8. Alex @ Brain, Body, Because says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:06 am

    Thanks for the recipe! Love comfort food.
    Reply
  9. Linda says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:06 am

    That looks amazing. I need to get Bob to try this out for his blog. Thank you!
    Reply
  10. Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:07 am

    Lately on my days off I'm having a hard time getting to the gym first thing in the morning. I'm not sure why that is because I greatly prefer morning workouts and know I'm less likely to go later. I think though the extra 30-60 minutes I'm sleeping is enough to make my body hungry and not want to do anything before I eat. hah!
    Reply
  11. Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:10 am

    I could eat a version of mac & cheese several times per week! :)
    Reply
  12. Elaine says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:13 am

    I love mac'n'cheese with tomatoes (or ketchup...although I usually get weird looks when I do this!). Adding chicken sounds delicious too! Will definitely add this to my list of recipes to try :)
    Reply
    • Danielle @ Dish'n'dash says

      August 15, 2012 at 10:29 am

      I always put ketchup on my mac and cheese - you're not the only one! I recently found a ketchup blended with chipotle; if you like chipotle, you would LOVE this!
      Reply
      • Courtney says

        August 15, 2012 at 12:06 pm

        Ok, I totally need to try this next time! I love my ketchup :)
        Reply
      • Elaine says

        August 15, 2012 at 3:56 pm

        This sounds amazing! Did you make your own or buy it somewhere? I need to try this!
        Reply
  13. Suzanne @ Fit Minded Mom says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:17 am

    The mac n'cheese dish looks incredible!! I know this will be one that goes over well with the entire family:-)
    Reply
  14. Liz @ Tip Top Shape says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:22 am

    I didn't partake in Waffle Wednesday! I'll have to next week! That baked mac & cheese looks delicious. Great recipe!
    Reply
  15. ALYSSA - FASHION FITNESS FOODIE says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:23 am

    I love that you lighten up comfort food meals like mac & cheese and brownies! I love to do that too - Getting what I want for less calories is always a win win situation!
    Reply
  16. Danielle @ Dish'n'dash says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:28 am

    Oh man, I was craving mac and cheese last night - this recipe would have been perfect! Will definitely have to try out a gluten-free version next week. Funny story, my sister and I - years ago - started calling mac and cheese not made from a box "real macaroni and cheesus" (don't know why we called it cheesus) and when deciding what kind of pasta to use, the person making it would ask the other "twirlies or stabbies?" i.e. pasta you could twirl on your fork or pasta you would stab with your fork. I'm also heading to HLS and planning to attend your session. Looking forward to meeting you in person!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 15, 2012 at 12:07 pm

      Hahaha, I love it!
      Reply
  17. Rachel says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:29 am

    Those brownies sound great! I have a black cherry Chobani in my fridge now
    Reply
  18. kaylie says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:58 am

    Okay- even though it's 8AM (in California at least:)), I want to make that Mac n' Cheese right nowww!!! It looks amazingly delicious!
    Reply
  19. Kim@hingryhealthygirl says

    August 15, 2012 at 11:09 am

    Looks like a very yummy dinner & dessert! I like getting my workout out of the way in the morning too.
    Reply
  20. Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness says

    August 15, 2012 at 11:21 am

    Wow! This mac and cheese looks amazing! There is nothing better than homemade mac and cheese :) Can't wait for HLS!!!
    Reply
  21. Andrea @ Andrea Out Loud says

    August 15, 2012 at 11:24 am

    that sounds delish! though Im not gonna lie... the brownie and ice cream looks fabulous :)
    Reply
  22. Yellow Haired Girl says

    August 15, 2012 at 11:29 am

    Mac and cheese > everything else.
    Reply
  23. Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine says

    August 15, 2012 at 11:38 am

    This looks delicious! I love the idea of making mac and cheese into a casserole!
    Reply
  24. Brandi says

    August 15, 2012 at 11:52 am

    Yum! what a super easy recipe! :) Because of the bad rap that pasta gets, I have always avoided it, but lately I have really enjoyed eating it. :)
    Reply
  25. Allison @ Running Through Red Lights says

    August 15, 2012 at 11:58 am

    Macaroni and cheese is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods, and I'm always looking for ways to change it up. I'm definitely going to have to try your recipe next time!
    Reply
  26. Alyssa says

    August 15, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    oh boy that Mac & Cheese looks awesome! Very flavorful and healthier than regular versions. Thanks Courtney :) I'm definitely going to try this!
    Reply
  27. Whitney @ Whit Likes Fit says

    August 15, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    This looks so good!
    Reply
  28. Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says

    August 15, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    Yum! I love a good mac & cheese recipe! Pinning this!
    Reply
  29. Nicole says

    August 15, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    This lactose-senstive girl is ready to pop her lactaid tablets so she can enjoy this dreamy, creamy treat. Looks amazing!! :)
    Reply
  30. Shannon says

    August 15, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Your mac n cheese recipe made my day. Thank you SO much! :) Mac n cheese is my favorite meal.
    Reply
  31. Alison says

    August 15, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    This looks delicious! I rarely comment, but I have to tell you, I made your chicken parm burgers last night and they were amazing! So moist and easy to make. Even my boyfriend loved them and he said they were a keeper and tasted like real chicken parm. thanks!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 15, 2012 at 3:03 pm

      Awww AWESOME! Thanks so much for letting me know :) Jay and I are actually planning on having our two leftover burgers tonight!
      Reply
  32. Julianna @ Julianna Bananna says

    August 15, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    that mac n cheese looks absolutely delicious! i haven't had pasta in quite awhile and now have a major craving for it!
    Reply
  33. Katherine @ The Fit Lady Sings says

    August 15, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    All of that food looks amazing!! It's been too long since I've had mac and cheese, so maybe I'll give that recipe a go! :)
    Reply
  34. Kati Mora, MS, RD, Kellogg's FiberPlus(R) Wellness Advocate says

    August 15, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Everything looks so tasty! I'm especially digging the waffles! I don't know if its because we're starting to work our way into fall, but waffles just hit the spot these days. My favorite waffle? The Kellogg's Eggo FiberPlus Chocolate Chip waffles. Add some bananas on top and its a win win!
    Reply
  35. Kristen @ notsodomesticated says

    August 15, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    Yum!!! This recipe is sounding amazing to me right now. I've been craving yummy, savory foods like crazy recently!
    Reply
  36. Bek @ Crave says

    August 16, 2012 at 1:04 am

    What is drizzled over your dessert? Ahh looks like butterscotch mmm. I don't think I could read on the tready- do you get motion sick? Hmm next time I'll have to try it. Can you jog/run and read? haha. That'd be even more impressive ;)
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 16, 2012 at 9:18 am

      It's caramel :) And I don't get motion sick on the treadmill while walking, but I can't jog and read at the same time!
      Reply

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Sweet Tooth Sweet Life
Court Profile CircleI'm Courtney, a 30-something wife and working mom living in upstate NY. I'm a food lover, fitness enthusiast, baker extraordinaire and lover of all things sweet.
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