This Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese comes together in about 30 minutes and is all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the chicken or add your favorite veggies to suit your taste, or, better yet, use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Trust me, the kids will be begging for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 3-4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 1 lb)
- 8 oz Elbow Macaroni
- 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs (optional)
How to Make Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese?
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
In a large pot, bring water to a roaring boil salt it generously, like the ocean! Then, add in 8 oz of elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, typically about 7-9 minutes. When they’re nice and tender but still have a bit of bite, drain them in a colander and set them aside. The smell of the cooking pasta is just delightful!
Step 2: Sauté the Chicken
In the same pot, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add cubed chicken seasoned with salt and pepper and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until it’s fully cooked through and the outside is golden. Oh, that smell, it’s golden and savory!
Step 3: Create the Cheese Sauce
Now here comes the magic! In that same skillet, add a little more butter if needed (don’t be shy!). Once melted, stir in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute until it’s smooth and bubbling. You’ll want to whisk in 2 cups of whole milk slowly. Bring this to a simmer, then reduce the heat, stirring frequently until the sauce is thickened. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Cheddar
Lower the heat and gradually stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it’s all melted and smooth. This is the part when you can almost taste the richness! You might want to give it a little taste test just to make sure it’s perfection, right?
Step 5: Combine It All
Gently fold in the cooked pasta and sautéed chicken until everything’s luxuriously coated in that cheese sauce. The best part is when it all comes together, creamy, gooey goodness!
Step 6: Bake (Optional)
For a crunchy topping (which I highly recommend!), transfer your creamy mac and cheese to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle with ½ cup of breadcrumbs, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. It’s like a cozy blanket for your pasta!
If you loved this recipe and you’re a chicken lover, be sure to check out my Chicken, Spinach and Cheese Pasta Bake, or my Baked Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick and Easy
This creamy chicken mac and cheese comes together all in one pot in under 30 minutes, which means minimal cleanup, yay! Just a single pot to wash, and you can enjoy the meal in no time flat!
Comfort Food
With layers of cheesy goodness and tender chicken, it’s the type of dish that wraps you up in warmth, like a big hug from your grandma. It’s loaded with flavor, and you’ll be going back for seconds… or thirds.
Customizable
The beauty of this recipe is in its versatility! Feel free to toss in any leftover vegetables, broccoli and spinach are my go-tos. You can even use whatever protein you have on hand, from turkey to shrimp, everything works!
Family Favorite
This cheesy delight is a major crowd-pleaser. Every member of the family, young or old, will go crazy for it. I mean, who can resist, right?
Make-Ahead Friendly
You can prep this dish in advance! Just follow the cooking instructions until the cheese sauce stage, then store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, add a touch of milk when heating and pop it in the oven, deliciousness awaits!
Serving & Storage Tips
How to Serve This Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese
Serve this comforting dish warm, straight out of the pot, with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color, or some extra cheese on top. Pair it with a simple green salad or steamed veggies to keep things light on the side!
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just be sure to let it cool completely before sealing that goodness away.
Reheating Instructions
Reheat in the microwave for a quick meal, or better yet, warm it up on the stovetop with a splash of milk for creaminess. It might just need a couple extra minutes of love to get back to its original glory!
Freezer Friendly?
Yes! You can freeze it! Just make sure to do so before baking. Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake until it’s heated through. It’s like having ready-made comfort food at your fingertips… so perfect!
And there you have it, an easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipe that you’ll want to make again and again (like I totally do)! Get your cozy vibes on, and enjoy this Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese that’s sure to be your next household favorite!
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Creamy Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Nut-free
Description
A quick and easy creamy chicken mac and cheese that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, customizable with your favorite veggies or proteins.
Ingredients
- 3–4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 1 lb)
- 8 oz Elbow Macaroni
- 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil and generously salt it. Add 8 oz of elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add cubed chicken, seasoned with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
- Add more butter if needed, then stir in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until smooth. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of whole milk, bring to simmer, and reduce heat until thickened, about 4-5 minutes.
- Lower the heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Fold in the cooked pasta and sautéed chicken until well coated in the cheese sauce.
- For a crunchy topping, transfer to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle with ½ cup of breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop with a splash of milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg