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Chicken Lunch Dinner One Pot Pasta
4.6 from 100 votes

Chicken Mac And Cheese

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •8/31/23 18 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

My Chicken Mac and Cheese is perfectly saucy, made with both stretchy mozzarella and sharp cheddar. It’s the comfort meal you’ve been craving! Try is straight out of the pot, or follow my easy additional instructions to bake it.

a black skillet with chicken mac and cheese and a spoon picking some up
Table of Contents Open
  • Easy Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How To Make Chicken Mac And Cheese
  • Can I use other types of pasta?
  • What else can I mix into my mac and cheese?
  • What to serve with chicken mac and cheese
  • Is my sauce too thin?
  • Storing leftovers
  • Craving more dreamy pasta recipes?
  • Chicken Mac and Cheese
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Easy Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe

Mac and cheese has always been a top contender for my favorite comfort foods. The silky, cheesy sauce, soft noodles, it’s just a dream come true! I thought I’d bulk it up today and create a full meal packed with chicken for you.

This is also a fantastic way to sneak some healthy vegetables into yours, or someone else’s diet. Toss in some peas, broccoli, even sautéed mushrooms! Anything hidden in that cheesy sauce sauce will go down easy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

overhead shot of all ingredients needed to make chicken mac and cheese
  • Elbow pasta – AKA macaroni noodles.
  • Chicken breast – You can also use precooked chicken; a great way to use up leftovers!
  • Onion – White onion works best, but use whatever you have handy.
  • Garlic – Use more or less as you prefer.
  • Olive oil –Safflower, sunflower, canola, or avocado oils will work instead.
  • Salt and pepper – Season to taste.
  • Flour –I used all-purpose flour. 1.5 tbsp cornstarch mixed with a bit of water will work for a gluten-free alternative.
  • Milk – I used 2%, however any type you have is fine.
  • Dried mustard – You can use regular mustard instead.
  • Mozzarella cheese – Freshly shredded.
  • Cheddar cheese – Medium or old, freshly shredded.
  • Parmesan – Fresh is best!

How To Make Chicken Mac And Cheese

process shots showing how to make chicken mac and cheese
  1. Prep the pasta and chicken: Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  2. Make the sauce: Add the onion to the same skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and stir well, cooking for another minute. Whisk in the milk and dry mustard. Add the mozzarella and cheddar, then whisk until they’ve melted.
  3. Finish the mac: Add the chicken and pasta to the skillet. Stir everything well to combine. Taste for seasoning. Serve with freshly grated parmesan.
a black skillet filled with chicken mac and cheese with a spoon in it

Can I use other types of pasta?

This dish will work with many other types of pasta if you have some in the pantry you’d like to use up. The ultra cheesy sauce is just so delicious, it’s amazing with anything! This recipe works best with smaller shapes like farfalle, penne, shells, rotini, or scoobi doo.

What else can I mix into my mac and cheese?

This is the type of recipe I love to make to use up some ingredients I have hanging out in my fridge or pantry. Give some of these a try:

  • Ground chicken or other meats such as beef, pork, or turkey.
  • Bacon
  • Sausage
  • Corn
  • Peas
  • Mushrooms
  • Carrots
  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Broccoli

What to serve with chicken mac and cheese

While this recipe has the filling carbs and protein you need, if you want some variety on the table I have some great ideas for you:

Veggies:

  • Steamed Broccoli
  • Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms
  • Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Brandy Glazed Carrots

Freshly baked bread:

  • No Knead Skillet Bread
  • Artisan Bread
  • No Knead Bread
  • Crescent Rolls
chicken mac and cheese in two white bowls

Is my sauce too thin?

You might find that the sauce looks a bit thin, but don’t worry! It’ll thicken up as it simmers, and will also get substantially thicker when you add the grated cheeses.

Once the pasta is mixed in and has a chance to sit for 5-10 minutes and soak up some sauce and cool down, it’ll also thicken up quite a bit. After many years of mac and cheese mixing, I’ve found that thicker sauces can turn your mac and cheese into a bit of a brick. This is the trick for perfectly saucy mac and cheese.

Storing leftovers

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated up to 4 days. You can reheat in the microwave, or covered in the oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes.

Leftovers will also last about 3 months frozen. It’ll be much easier to reheat if you let the leftovers thaw overnight in the fridge. Keep in mind freezing cooked pasta can make the texture softer.

overhead shot of chicken mac and cheese in a skillet garnished with parmesan cheese

Craving more dreamy pasta recipes?

  • Creamy Cajun Pastalaya
  • One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna
  • Arugula and Walnut Pesto Pasta
  • Chicken Pesto Caprese Pasta
  • One Pot Pasta
  • Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
  • Instant Pot Mac And Cheese

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

side view shot of a fork taking a bite of chicken mac and cheese
4.55 from 100 votes

Chicken Mac and Cheese

Prep 20 minutes minutes
Cook 30 minutes minutes
Total 50 minutes minutes
6
Rate Recipe Print Recipe
My Chicken Mac and Cheese is perfectly saucy, made with both stretchy mozzarella and sharp cheddar. It's the comfort meal you've been craving! Try is straight out of the pot, or follow my easy additional instructions to bake it.
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Ingredients

  • 8 ounce elbow macaroni (or penne, rigatoni, ziti)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breasts (skinless and boneless, cut in small pieces)
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried mustard
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to keep the pasta from sticking together. Set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  • In the same skillet add the onions and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and stir. Cook for another minute. Whisk in the milk and dried mustard. Add the mozzarella, cheddar cheese and stir it in. Continue to cook until the cheese has melted.
  • Add the chicken and pasta to the skillet and stir everything together. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary with salt and pepper if needed.
  • Serve garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Optional

  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet then add ¾ cup of breadcrumbs to it. Stir it all together and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle crispy breadcrumbs over mac and cheese.

Equipment

  • 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet

Notes

  1. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated up to 4 days. You can reheat in the microwave, or covered in the oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Leftovers will also last about 3 months frozen. It’ll be much easier to reheat if you let the leftovers thaw overnight in the fridge. Keep in mind freezing cooked pasta can make the texture softer.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 558kcal (28%)Carbohydrates: 39g (13%)Protein: 39g (78%)Fat: 27g (42%)Saturated Fat: 13g (81%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 110mg (37%)Sodium: 655mg (28%)Potassium: 561mg (16%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 640IU (13%)Vitamin C: 3mg (4%)Calcium: 524mg (52%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

side view shot of a fork taking a bite of chicken mac and cheese

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Through Jo Cooks, I invite you to join me in my kitchen as we explore delicious recipes from around the globe, celebrate the joy of cooking, and make every meal a memorable one. Happy cooking!

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18 Comments
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Christine
Christine
Posted: 6 days ago

5 stars
It was really delicious. I did add some tomatoes because my husband like tomatoes in his Mac n cheese. With or without tomato was very good

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Christine
Posted: 6 days ago

I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed it! Adding tomatoes sounds like a tasty twist for all the tomato lovers out there. Thanks for sharing your variation, and so glad it was a hit both ways! 🍅🧀

0
Reply
Eva
Eva
Posted: 3 months ago

This was a delicious dish and very easy to prepare. I followed it step by step—hubby said not to change a thing! The crispy topping at the end truly makes it better.

0
Reply
Cindy
Cindy
Posted: 7 months ago

5 stars
Very good, seemed a little thick . Added a little more milk when reheated and worked great .

0
Reply
Kathy
Kathy
Posted: 7 months ago

5 stars
I made this for a large group (served 90!) – AWANA meal at church! It was a hit with young and old alike! Once all mixed up popped in oven for 30 minutes!

0
Reply
Drew B.
Drew B.
Posted: 2 years ago

4 stars
It turned out very well! I under-salted it on purpose, because you can always add more. Very simple recipe, and my first stove top Mac and cheese. Very pleased and now I need a nap.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Reply to  Drew B.
Posted: 2 years ago

That’s wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it!

0
Reply
Shirley Minnie
Shirley Minnie
Posted: 2 years ago

Can I bake this after I get it all mixed up instead of serving it immediately?.
I love your recipes and the way u always answer my questions. Thank u so much!

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Shirley Minnie
Posted: 2 years ago

Of course you can! You can throw an extra layer of cheese on top and give it quick broil for more of a “chicken mac and cheese bake”

0
Reply
Anu Riley
Anu Riley
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
At first I wasn’t sure about trying this but I desperately need more ways to cook and serve chicken. Tried it last night and it was pretty dang good. I think the onions really added flavor. I used whole wheat elbows, low fat cheeses and nonfat dry milk powder (to make 2 cups of milk) I did add salt at the end, to taste, about 1/4 tsp or so. Oh, and 1/4 cup flour. Easy to make, inexpensive as well; thank you so much!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Anu Riley
Posted: 3 years ago

So glad you liked it!

0
Reply
Aimee Bouten
Aimee Bouten
Posted: 3 years ago

Do you use dry powder mustard or bottle mustard in this recipe? I am confused.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team 2
Jo Cooks Team 2
Reply to  Aimee Bouten
Posted: 3 years ago

You can use either 🙂 We used dried but as the recipe states, either will work!

0
Reply
Aimee
Aimee
Reply to  Jo Cooks Team 2
Posted: 3 years ago

I thank you for time and help. I will report next week when I make this.

0
Reply
Dustin Lillie
Dustin Lillie
Reply to  Jo Cooks Team 2
Posted: 2 years ago

I’m cooking this tonight for the family. I just wanted to say that I absolutely love how detailed your recipe is. Questions answered, pictures, suggestions…I hate when I find a recipe of something that looks amazing, but it’s too vague for a rookie to follow. Thank you!

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Dustin Lillie
Posted: 2 years ago

So glad you like it!!

0
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Marcia M Edwards
Marcia M Edwards
Posted: 3 years ago

I am trying to print this recipe but it shows as Japanese
I am subscribed to your website in English

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Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Marcia M Edwards
Posted: 3 years ago

This sounds like an issue with a setting in your own browser! Our website is only written in English. Check which language(s) are set in your browser settings.

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I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is the place where I share my passion for easy and delicious recipes. From comforting classics to global flavors, I believe that cooking should be fun, approachable, and most importantly, rewarding. Join me on this culinary journey and let’s get cooking!

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