Chicken Apple Mac and Cheese

So after wanting to do something different with some Mac and Cheese I decided to do chicken apple sausage without the sausage! And it tastes a whole lot like it, Yum!

Chicken Apple Mac and Cheese
30 mins – serves 2-3

1/2 box medium shells (or any small pasta)
1 large chicken breast – diced
3 slices of bacon sliced thin
3 cloves garlic minced
1/2 medium onion diced
2 T butter – up to if needed
2 T flour
2-3 cups milk
1/2 package shredded cheddar mix (white and yellow if you can find it)
1 apple – small diced (granny smith)
1.5 tsp sage
1.5 tsp fennel seed
fresh grated nutmeg (optional, if available)
salt and pepper
breadcrumbs and cheese to garnish
sliced green onion to garnish

Instructions:

slightly under cook pasta according to box

cook the diced chicken and remove it from the pot
render the bacon and remove bacon from the pot leaving the rendered fat
add onion and apple to the pot, let soften slightly
add garlic, fennel seed and sage
once cooked add the flour, stir together, if too thick, add a little more butter
let flour cook out for a few minutes and add the milk
Start with 2 cups and if necessary add up to 1 more cup
season with salt pepper and nutmeg (optional)
once thickened add in cheese, remove from heat and stir until combined

add drained pasta, chicken, and bacon to cheese sauce, stir to combine
transfer to a casserole dish (sprayed with non stick spray)
sprinkle with a little more cheese and breadcrumbs

Bake at 350 until golden brown and melted

serve and garnish with sliced green onion