# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz elbow macaroni
→ Chicken
02 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
→ Pesto
07 - 1/2 cup basil pesto
→ Sauce
08 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
10 - 3 cups whole milk
11 - 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
14 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
15 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Topping
16 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
18 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a large baking dish measuring 9x13 inches.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook until golden and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and toss with basil pesto until fully coated.
04 - In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.
05 - Gradually whisk milk into the roux, stirring constantly until thickened, approximately 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mozzarella, Parmesan, cheddar, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, and pesto chicken. Mix gently until evenly coated.
07 - Spoon the casserole mixture into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
08 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole surface.
09 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until the casserole is bubbling at the edges and the topping is golden brown.
10 - Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before portioning and serving.
