Garlic Herb Grilled Chicken with Creamy Mac & Cheese and Steamed Veggies

 

🍽️ Introduction

When you can't decide between a healthy meal and pure comfort food, why not have both? This recipe brings together a beautifully seasoned, juicy grilled chicken breast drizzled with a savory glaze, alongside an ultra-creamy herb mac and cheese, balanced with a vibrant side of steamed broccoli and carrots. It’s a well-rounded dinner that feels indulgent yet satisfyingly wholesome. Let’s bring this gorgeous plate to life!

🛒 Ingredients

Here is your shopping list to recreate the exact vibrant plate shown in image_1d0da1.jpg:

For the Juicy Grilled Chicken:

• 2 large Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)

• 1 tbsp Olive oil

• 1 tsp Garlic powder

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried oregano and thyme)

• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

• For the Drizzle: 1/4 cup of savory brown gravy or honey mustard glaze

For the Creamy Herb Mac & Cheese:

• 250g Macaroni or Cavatappi pasta (as seen in the image)

• 2 tbsp Butter

• 2 tbsp All-purpose flour

• 1.5 cups Warm milk

• 1 cup Shredded sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

• 1/2 cup Shredded mozzarella (for that perfect melt)

• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (finely chopped and stirred into the sauce)

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Steamed Veggies:

• 1 head of Broccoli (cut into florets)

• 2 medium Carrots (sliced into thick rounds)

• 1 tbsp Butter (optional, to toss the veggies in)

• A pinch of salt

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Marinate and Grill the Chicken

1. Slice the chicken breasts horizontally if they are too thick to ensure even cooking. Pat them dry with a paper towel.

2. Coat the chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

3. Heat a grill pan or heavy skillet over medium-high heat.

4. Grill the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side without moving it to achieve those beautiful dark char marks. Once fully cooked through, transfer to a cutting board, let it rest for 3 minutes, then slice diagonally.

Step 2: The Creamy Herb Mac & Cheese

1. Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, drain and set aside.

2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux.

3. Gradually pour in the warm milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.

4. Turn off the heat and stir in the shredded cheeses and finely chopped parsley until completely melted and velvety. Toss the cooked pasta into this rich cheese sauce.

Step 3: Steam the Veggies

1. Bring a small amount of water to a boil in a pot equipped with a steamer basket.

2. Add the sliced carrots and broccoli florets. Cover and steam for 5-6 minutes until tender-crisp and bright green.

3. Toss them in a tiny bit of butter and salt if desired.

To Serve: Arrange the creamy macaroni on one side of a dark plate, place the vibrant steamed broccoli and carrots on the other side, and nestle the beautifully sliced grilled chicken right in front. Drizzle a warm brown gravy or savory glaze over the chicken and garnish the entire plate with extra fresh parsley as displayed in