Chicken Mac and Cheese (VIDEO)

This Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe uses a homemade cheese sauce, noodles, chopped chicken, and peas and is topped with more cheese and Panko bread crumbs. A family favorite dinner recipe!

Sometimes the same old dinners we make need a bit of a twist – and that’s exactly with this Chicken Mac and Cheese does at dinner time! Add in chopped chicken and peas, and top the casserole with Panko bread crumbs and you have a wonderful new dinner for your family!

Why is there flour in this recipe?

The flour whisked into the melted butter, and then combined with the milk and chicken broth, thicken to a sauce that melts well with the cheese. It’s a simple way to make a homemade cheese sauce.

How do I know when it’s thickened enough?

The bottom of the sauce should be pulling away from the bottom of the pan as you stir. It will continue to thicken as the cheese melts into the sauce as well.

How to make Chicken Mac and Cheese:

Melt butter in a large pot. Whisk in flour until creamy. Then whisk in milk and chicken broth and bring to a boil.

Keep cooking and stirring until sauce is thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Then stir in macaroni noodles, chopped chicken, and peas.

Spread into a baking dish and top with more shredded cheese and Panko bread crumbs. Bake until heated through and topping is golden brown.

Where can I find Panko bread crumbs?

Panko bread crumbs are usually found right next to regular seasoned bread crumbs.

Can Chicken Mac & Cheese be frozen?

Yes! Freeze the casserole before baking, then thaw and bake as directed. Or individual cooked portions can be frozen as leftover for future meals as well.

More favorite mac and cheese recipes:

• Zesty Macaroni and Cheese
• Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese
• Taco Mac Casserole
• Tex Mex Macaroni and Cheese

If you liked this recipe for Chicken Mac and Cheese, leave a comment and rating below this post!

Chicken Mac and Cheese

Chicken Mac and Cheese with cheese sauce, macaroni, chicken, and peas, and topped with Panko bread crumbs.

4.32 from 32 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken mac and cheese recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 309kcal

Author: Kelly Miller

Ingredients

• ▢ 8 oz macaroni noodles
• ▢ 2 tbsp butter
• ▢ 2 tbsp flour
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups milk
• ▢ 1/2 cup chicken broth
• ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
• ▢ 2 cups cooked chicken diced
• ▢ 1 cup frozen peas
• ▢ 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
• ▢ salt and pepper

Instructions

• Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
  
• Whisk in flour until smooth.
  
• Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth.
  
• Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, and continue cooking until thickened.
  
• Stir in 1 cup cheese and whisk until melted.
  
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir in peas, chicken, and drained macaroni noodles.
  
• Transfer to a 2 quart baking dish.
• Top with remaining shredded cheese and bread crumbs.
  
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until heated through and topping is golden brown.
  

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 8.3mg | Calcium: 273mg | Iron: 1.1mg

Tried this recipe?Follow me @mostlyhomemademom or tag #MostlyHomemadeMom!