Go Back
–+ servings
Pico de gallo tops creamy panera bread copy cat mac and cheese with garlic lime chicken in a white bowl

Copy Cat Panera Bread Baja Macaroni and Cheese

Sea Salt Savorings
This creamy Copy Cat Panera Bread Baja Macaroni and Cheese is exploding with flavor! With garlic-lime seared chicken, fresh pico de gallo, and extra cheese macaroni, this dish is a hit!

5 from 16 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 LB large elbow macaroni

For the Sauce

  • 4 TBS grass-fed butter
  • 3 TBS flour
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 16 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cumin

For the Garlic Lime Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, cut thin
  • 1 TBSP olive oil
  • 2 TBS soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne powder
  • 1 cup Pico De Gallo Link to recipe in notes

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot of water with 1 tsp of salt, cook large elbow pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, place the pasta back into the pot, and place to the side.
  • In a small pot, add butter over medium heat. Once butter is melted, add flour, and stir until it forms a paste.
  • Add buttermilk and shredded cheese to the pot. Add salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cumin, and stir to combine. Continue stirring regularly for 5 minutes until the cheese sauce has thickened. It should still be slightly liquidy. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni and stir to combine.
  • In a medium cast-iron pan, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Combine the soy sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne powder in a small bowl.
  • Add the thinly sliced chicken strips to the sauce, and stir to coat evenly. Add the chicken to the pan, and sear on each side for 5 minutes, or until it is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan, and place to the side.
  • Add 1 cup of pico de gallo to the macaroni and cheese and stir to combine. Serve macaroni and cheese in individual bowls, and top with seared garlic lime chicken, sliced avocado, cilantro, and more pico de gallo. Mangia!

Notes

PICO DE GALLO RECIPE

Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.

Tried this recipe?Mention @seasaltsavorings or tag us #seasaltsavorings!