Description
A creamy, cheesy twist on classic mac and cheese, this recipe combines tender chicken, tangy ranch seasoning, and melty cheese for a comforting dish your family will love!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 ounce)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (10.5 ounces)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add milk and cream of chicken soup, whisking until smooth. Stir in ranch seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add cheese: Gradually stir in shredded cheddar (and mozzarella if desired), mixing until melted and creamy.
- Combine: Add cooked macaroni and chicken to the sauce, stirring well to coat.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and top with extra cheese if desired. For added texture, bake with a breadcrumb topping at 350°F for 10 minutes until golden.
Notes
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce feels too thick, gradually add more milk until it reaches your desired creaminess. This ensures the dish stays rich but not overly heavy.
- Use Freshly Cooked Chicken: Freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken works best for flavor and texture. Avoid pre-packaged chicken slices, which can be dry or lack the savory depth this dish needs.
- Customize the Flavor: Ranch seasoning can be strong, so start with less if you’re unsure and add more to taste. For extra zest, sprinkle a bit of ranch powder on top before serving!
- Prep Time: 10 MIN
- Cook Time: 20 MIN