Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
This Chicken Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender chicken. Perfect comfort food for weeknights or cozy gatherings!
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Baking Dish
- Oven
- Cooking utensils
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 6 chicken breasts boneless and skinless, cooked and shredded
- 16 ounces elbow noodles
- 16 ounces Monterey Jack cheese grated
- 21.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup two 10 3/4 ounce cans
- 2 cups chicken stock or broth use low-sodium
- 0.5 cup onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 0.75 cup pimento pepper chopped, from a large jar
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the elbow noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a separate pot, boil the chicken in chicken stock until cooked through, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat, shred the chicken, and set it aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
- In a skillet, heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 4: Combine Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, sautéed onions and garlic, cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, pimento pepper, and half of the grated Monterey Jack cheese. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
Step 5: Assemble the Dish
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack cheese on top. If you’re using Ritz crackers, crush them and sprinkle over the cheese for an added crunch.
Step 6: Bake
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Chicken Mac and Cheese with a side salad or your favorite vegetables!
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation.
- Mix in other cheeses like cheddar or gouda for varied flavors.
- This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; add extra baking time if baking cold.
- Freeze unbaked casserole for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in fridge before baking.
- Reheat leftovers in oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until warmed through.