Chicken Macaroni Bake
Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting, this Chicken Macaroni Bake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for family dinners or casual gatherings. Featuring tender elbow macaroni, juicy chunks of cooked chicken breast, and a from-scratch cheese sauce made with melty cheddar and Parmesan, this dish is baked to golden perfection with a buttery breadcrumb topping. With a prep time of just 20 minutes and simple ingredients like garlic powder, chicken broth, and pantry staples, this casserole is an easy and satisfying weeknight meal. Serve it fresh from the oven alongside a crisp green salad for a dinner that’s as hearty as it is delicious. Perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd, this baked chicken macaroni casserole will quickly become a household favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Elbow macaroni
- 2 cups Cooked chicken breast
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook the elbow macaroni in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Let it simmer for about 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens.
Stir in the cheddar cheese, ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add the cooked chicken and macaroni to the sauce. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the olive oil and remaining Parmesan cheese. Mix well and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
648 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.4 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.1 g | 86% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 148 mg | 49% | |
| Sodium | 1087 mg | 47% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.4 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.7 g | ||
| Protein | 49.8 g | 100% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.4 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 539 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 457 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
