Chicken casseroles are perfect for busy weekdays, offering a quick, tasty, and budget-friendly meal in one pot. They’re easy to prepare and packed with flavor—what’s not to love? I hope you enjoy these casserole recipes as much as we have!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (I use a 16 oz package)
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups milk
- 1.5 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1.5 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or chopped
- Casserole dish of your choice
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, ensuring it’s cooked al dente. Be careful not to overcook, as the pasta will continue to cook in the casserole.
- While the pasta cooks, grease your casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of butter.
- In a large pot, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat (avoid browning the butter).
- Whisk in the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens.
- Gradually add the milk, turning the heat to high to bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Once it begins to boil, let it simmer for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
- Stir in the shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, mixing until fully melted.
- Add the cooked chicken and macaroni, stirring until everything is evenly coated in the cheesy sauce.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared casserole dish.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
RECIPE NOTES
- For the best melt, avoid using pre-shredded cheese, as it contains starch that can prevent smooth melting. Grate your cheese fresh!
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses—Pepper Jack or a smoked Gouda are delicious alternatives.
- Store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken works perfectly in this dish.
- To make it a true one-dish meal, you can add chopped broccoli before baking for extra veggies!
