Best 5 Macaroni Chicken Dinner Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey with our versatile Macaroni Chicken Dinner - a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal that caters to diverse preferences.

This delectable dish centers around succulent chicken pieces, nestled amidst tender macaroni and bathed in a creamy and tangy sauce. Each bite offers a symphony of flavors and textures, from the tender chicken to the velvety sauce and the perfectly cooked macaroni.

For those seeking a classic comfort food experience, our original Macaroni Chicken Dinner recipe delivers simplicity and satisfaction. With a few pantry staples, you can create a creamy and cheesy casserole that's perfect for busy weeknight dinners or cozy family gatherings.

If you're looking for a zesty twist, our Salsa Macaroni Chicken Dinner is sure to tantalize your taste buds. This recipe infuses the classic dish with the vibrant flavors of salsa, tomatoes, and corn, resulting in a Tex-Mex inspired casserole that's both flavorful and colorful.

For a healthier take on this classic, our Lightened-Up Macaroni Chicken Dinner offers a guilt-free indulgence. This recipe swaps heavy cream for low-fat milk and incorporates a blend of non-fat Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, delivering a creamy and flavorful sauce without compromising on taste or texture.

Craving something extra cheesy? Our Macaroni Chicken Dinner with Extra Cheese takes the comfort food factor up a notch. This recipe features a generous amount of cheddar cheese, melted to perfection and blanketing the tender chicken and macaroni. Each bite is a cheesy delight that's sure to satisfy your cravings.

No matter your preference, our Macaroni Chicken Dinner recipes offer something for everyone. From classic to zesty, lightened-up to extra cheesy, these one-pot wonders promise an easy and enjoyable cooking experience, resulting in a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

EASY AND CHEESY CHICKEN MACARONI CASSEROLE



Easy and Cheesy Chicken Macaroni Casserole image

Elevate your macaroni and cheese with this Cheesy Chicken Macaroni Casserole featuring creamy chicken sauce, elbow pasta, and lots of cheese!

Provided by The Ashcroft Family Table

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1½ cups elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
Generous dash of pepper
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
12.5 ounces canned chunk chicken (drained)

Steps:

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain once done.
  • In a 2-quart saucepan, melt margarine and cook onion until soft.
  • Stir in soup, milk, and pepper until smooth.
  • Add drained macaroni, 1 cup cheese, and chicken and mix well.
  • Pour mixture into a 7x11 quart casserole dish.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
  • Remove the casserole from the oven and top with 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
  • Bake for 2-3 minutes more until the cheese melts.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 g, Calories 413 kcal, Carbohydrate 33 g, Protein 28 g, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 68 mg, Sodium 680 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 3 g, UnsaturatedFat 8 g

CHICKEN MACARONI



Chicken Macaroni image

"I often put together this yummy chicken and pasta combination for my daughter and her family," writes Donna V'Dovec of Veradale, Washington. "All she has to do is heat and serve it with a salad or vegetable for a filling meal that tastes great."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
1 cup cubed cooked chicken
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Fold in the macaroni and chicken. Transfer to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 268 calories, Fat 8g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 40mg cholesterol, Sodium 420mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CHICKEN MACARONI CASSEROLE



Chicken Macaroni Casserole image

My favorite main dish recipe from Mom, this casserole is considered "birthday food" because we often requested it for our birthdays. Hearty and flavorful, it's a real family-pleaser anytime!

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 6-8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups half-and-half cream
1-1/2 to 2 cups chicken broth, divided
3/4 pound Velveeta, cubed
2 packages (7 ounces each) uncooked elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
3 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Snipped fresh parsley, optional

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add cream and 1-1/2 cups of the broth. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; add cheese; stir until melted. Add the macaroni, chicken, pimientos, salt and pepper. Add additional broth if needed. , Pour into a 3-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 452 calories, Fat 24g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 112mg cholesterol, Sodium 1081mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 30g protein.

EASIEST CHICKEN MACARONI CASSEROLE



Easiest Chicken Macaroni Casserole image

I found this recipe while browsing through my Betty Crocker cookbook and thought it sounded tasty. I love that you don't have to pre-cook the pasta. The original recipe called for curry powder but I also like it with chili powder for something totally different (if using chili powder, you will want to double the amount). Also a good use for that leftover holiday turkey!

Provided by flower7

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken or 1 1/2 cups cooked turkey
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup milk (I use skim)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon curry powder or 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup (I use low sodium, 98% fat free)
7 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 (4 ounce) can mushroom pieces, undrained
1 (2 ounce) jar diced pimentos, undrained

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Mix all ingredients together in an ungreased 11"x7" casserole dish.
  • Cover and bake until macaroni is tender, about 55 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 516.2, Fat 20.5, SaturatedFat 9.8, Cholesterol 83.8, Sodium 1077.9, Carbohydrate 49.9, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 2.9, Protein 32

MACARONI AND CHEESY CHICKEN BAKED CASSEROLE



Macaroni and Cheesy Chicken Baked Casserole image

Take your mac and cheese weeknight dinner to a whole new level with this veggie-kissed casserole. The crunchy cheese and bread crumb topping makes a perfect finish for the creamy filling.

Provided by By Brooke Lark

Categories     Entree

Time 1h5m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (about 9 oz)
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 cups milk
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (16 oz)
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 bag (16 oz) frozen broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups Progresso™ panko crispy bread crumbs
4 tablespoons butter, melted

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
  • In 5-quart Dutch oven, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Beat in flour, onion salt, garlic salt and pepper with whisk until thickened. Cook 1 minute longer. Beat in milk. Heat to boiling over high heat, stirring frequently; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 3 cups of the cheese until melted. Stir in macaroni, chicken and frozen broccoli. Pour into baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese on top.
  • In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and melted butter; stir until combined. Sprinkle over macaroni mixture.
  • Bake 33 to 36 minutes or until mixture is bubbly (at least 165°F in center) and bread crumbs are browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 550, Carbohydrate 44 g, Cholesterol 100 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 2 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, ServingSize About 1 1/4 cups, Sodium 720 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 1 g

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use a high-quality chicken broth or stock. You can also use water, but the flavor will be less intense.
  • If you don't have elbow macaroni, you can use any other small pasta shape, such as penne or shells.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables to the dish, such as carrots, celery, or peas.
  • If you like a creamy sauce, you can add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or sour cream to the sauce before serving.
  • Serve the macaroni and chicken dinner immediately, or let it cool and store it in the refrigerator for later.

Conclusion:

This macaroni and chicken dinner is a quick and easy meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. The dish is simple to make, but it is packed with flavor. The creamy sauce and tender chicken are sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this macaroni and chicken dinner a try.

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