Chicken Macaroni Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting, this Chicken Macaroni Casserole is the perfect family-friendly dinner that comes together with ease. Featuring tender elbow macaroni, succulent shredded chicken, and a velvety homemade cheese sauce infused with cheddar, Parmesan, and a hint of garlic and paprika, this baked casserole is layered with flavors and textures. Topped with golden, buttery breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch, it’s a delightful combination of hearty and indulgent. Ready in under an hour, this dish is ideal for weeknight meals or potluck gatherings, offering six generous servings of pure comfort food bliss.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Elbow macaroni
- 2 cups Cooked chicken breast (shredded or diced)
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil or melted butter
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth paste.
Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, making sure there are no lumps. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, shredded chicken, and cheese sauce. Mix everything together until well combined.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4110 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 195.4 g | 251% | |
| Saturated Fat | 99.6 g | 498% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 870 mg | 290% | |
| Sodium | 8182 mg | 356% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 288.5 g | 105% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.3 g | 44% | |
| Total Sugars | 39.5 g | ||
| Protein | 299.3 g | 599% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.5 mcg | 28% | |
| Calcium | 3259 mg | 251% | |
| Iron | 19.6 mg | 109% | |
| Potassium | 2275 mg | 48% | |
*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.
