Shredded chicken macaroni and cheese casserole recipe can be a full meal in itself. The soft creamy cheese noodles and added protein of tender shredded chicken is filling and ready in minimum cook time. Making it such a great idea to make homemade mac and cheese especially on school nights.
This macaroni mixture with shredded chicken is warm and filling especially during the colder months. A dish that is a family friendly recipe. And a great option for a dish to take to a potluck. Everyone will enjoy this easy mac and cheese dish with shredded chicken.
Here are some great side dishes to pair with this delicious casserole dish. This copycat Longhorn Steakhouse broccoli and this gluten free ciabatta bread.
Jump to:
- Ingredients for Shredded Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Casserole.
- Instructions to make this shredded chicken and macaroni and cheese recipe.
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storage
- Frugal Tip
- Related
- Shredded Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Casserole Recipe
- Hint: Be very careful when removing the lid from the baking dish as the oil may be sizzling.
- Substitutions
- Storage
Ingredients for Shredded Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Casserole.
- cavatappi dry pasta
- butter
- All-purpose flour
- heavy whipping cream
- milk
- shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- extra virgin olive oil
- boneless skinless chicken breast
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions to make this shredded chicken and macaroni and cheese recipe.
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook the cavatappi macaroni noodles according to the package directions cooking time, until al dente. When finished, remove from heat, drain water out in a colander and pour the cooked noodles back into empty saucepan.
- Step 2: Grease baking dish with extra virgin olive oil, place chicken in it and cover with lid. Bake in oven until cooked through and there is no pink. In the meantime, in a medium saucepan over low to medium heat, melt butter. Then add all-purpose flour. Stir with a whisk continually until mixture is lightly browned. Then pour the heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper and garlic powder in skillet slowly. Wisk until the mixture is thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and a creamy texture. Pour noodles in baking dish and immediately pour the cheese sauce over the noodles. Stir until all is combined well.
- Step 3: Once the chicken is baked and cooled, shred it into fine pieces. Add the chicken pieces to the macaroni and cheese and mix all together. Pour the remaining shredded cheese over the top.
4. Step 4: Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for five minutes.
Hint: Be very careful when removing the lid from the baking dish as the oil may be sizzling.
Substitutions
- Noodles - instead of using the cavatappi macaroni noodles, you can use another type if you prefer. Try using what you have on hand. Such as uncooked elbow macaroni or whole wheat pasta.
- Broth - if you would prefer, you could bake the chicken breasts in chicken broth or chicken stock.
Variations
- Cheese - you can change up the cheese sauce. Some options are mild cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, and parmesan cheese.
- Cheese consistency - if you like an even more cheesy sauce, add more shredded cheese to your liking.
- Heat - would you like to add some kick to your dish? Adding some hot sauce will help.
Equipment
- medium saucepan
- skillet
- whisk
- spoon
- teaspoon
- tablespoon
- measuring cup
- colander
- baking dish with lid
- airtight container
Storage
Have leftovers and want to enjoy some the next day? Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. After that, the noodles may begin to not be as soft.
Frugal Tip
An alternative to pre-shredded cheese if it may be expensive, is block cheese. Price compare to see which would be a bigger savings.
Related
If you are looking for more comfort food ideas, please check these out.
- Turkey and rice baked peppers with cauliflower rice.
- Gluten free spaghetti alfredo fettucine.
- Italian minestrone soup.
Shredded Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Casserole Recipe
Shredded chicken macaroni and cheese casserole recipe can be a full meal in itself. The soft creamy cheese noodles and added protein of tender shredded chicken is filling and ready in minimum cook time.
Equipment
- 1 Medium saucepan
- 1 Skillet
- 1 Whisk
- 1 spoon
- ⅛ teaspoon
- 1 Tablespoon
- 1 Cup
- 1 colander
- 1 Baking dish with lid
- 1 Airtight container
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cavatappi macaroni noodles
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup milk
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup is for the topping before being baked.
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 4 oz boneless skinless chicken breast
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook the cavatappi macaroni noodles according to the package directions until al dente. When finished, remove from heat, drain water out in a colander and pour the cooked noodles back into empty saucepan.
- Grease baking dish with extra virgin olive oil, place chicken in it and cover with lid. Bake in oven until cooked through and there is no pink. About twenty minutes.
- In a medium saucepan over low to medium heat, melt butter. Then add all-purpose flour. Stir with a whisk continually until mixture is lightly browned.
- Pour the heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper and garlic powder in skillet slowly. Wisk until the mixture is thickened.
- Turn heat down to simmer and stir in the shredded cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and a creamy texture. Remove from heat.
- Pour noodles in baking dish and immediately pour the cheese sauce over the noodles. Stir until all is combined well.
- Immediately pour the cheese sauce over the noodles. Stir until all is combined well.
- Once the chicken is baked and cooled, shred it into fine pieces.
- Add the chicken pieces to the macaroni and cheese and mix all together.
- Pour the remaining shredded cheese over the top.
- Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for five minutes.
Notes
Hint: Be very careful when removing the lid from the baking dish as the oil may be sizzling.
Substitutions
-
- Noodles - instead of using the cavatappi macaroni noodles, you can use another type if you prefer. Try using what you have on hand. Such as uncooked elbow macaroni or whole wheat pasta.
-
- Broth - if you would prefer, you could bake the chicken breasts in chicken broth or chicken stock.
Jojo Reyes Jr. says
This looks yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Amy says
Thanks so much!
Amy says
Thanks!