Irresistible Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Recipe for Comfort
Creamy comfort takes on a whole new meaning with this crack chicken macaroni and cheese that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Layers of rich, melted cheese blend seamlessly with tender pasta and juicy chicken pieces.
Unexpected spices create a flavor explosion you won’t forget.
Crispy bacon bits add a salty crunch that perfectly complements the smooth sauce.
Each forkful promises pure indulgence without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
Quick to assemble and impossible to resist, this dish turns an ordinary meal into a celebration.
Dig in and watch everyone ask for seconds!
Reasons to Love Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients Needed for Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Main Ingredients:Cheese Components:Flavor Enhancers:Optional Add-Ins:Garnish:Cooking Instructions for Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly
Cook macaroni in a large pot of salted water following package directions until tender. Drain water completely and set pasta aside in a separate bowl.
Step 2: Create Creamy Ranch Sauce
Warm a saucepan over medium heat. Combine cream cheese, milk, and ranch seasoning. Whisk ingredients continuously until cream cheese melts and sauce becomes silky smooth.
Step 3: Melt Cheese Blend
Stir in shredded cheeses:Continuously mix until cheeses melt completely and sauce turns rich and velvety.
Step 4: Mix Delicious Components
In a large mixing bowl, combine:Season with salt and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly distributed and coated with sauce.
Step 5: Prepare for Baking
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Transfer macaroni mixture into the dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
Step 6: Bake Until Bubbly
Slide baking dish into preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges turn golden and center becomes hot and bubbling.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle chopped green onions or parsley on top. Serve warm and watch everyone dig in with excitement.
Helpful Tips for Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Flavor Variations of Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Suggested Pairings for Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Storage Advice for Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Frequently Asked Questions About Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time in meal preparation.
Absolutely! Most kids love mac and cheese, and the ranch and chicken make it extra tasty and appealing.
Consider using whole wheat pasta, reducing cheese amount, adding more vegetables like spinach or broccoli, and using low-fat dairy options.
Yes, you can assemble the entire casserole in advance and refrigerate. Just add 10-15 minutes to baking time when cooking from cold.
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Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Creamy crack chicken macaroni and cheese brings southern comfort to dinner tables with irresistible cheesy goodness. Loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning, this dish promises a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (optional)
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Base and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) elbow macaroni
- 1 packet (1 ounce/28 grams) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni in a generously salted water bath until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Create a velvety sauce foundation by gently melting cream cheese in a simmering saucepan, whisking in milk and ranch seasoning until silky and uniform.
- Incorporate shredded cheddar and mozzarella into the warm sauce, stirring continuously until the cheese dissolves completely, creating a luxurious, smooth consistency.
- Fold the prepared chicken into the cheese sauce, ensuring each morsel is generously coated with the creamy mixture.
- Combine the sauced chicken with the drained macaroni, introducing crispy bacon crumbles and optional frozen peas for added texture and flavor complexity.
- Transfer the decadent mixture into a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly to ensure consistent heat distribution.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the macaroni for 22-25 minutes, watching for golden bubbling edges and heated center.
- Allow the dish to rest for 3-4 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the sauce settle and intensifies flavors.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions or parsley for a vibrant finishing touch, serving immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Swap regular pasta for whole wheat or gluten-free options to accommodate dietary restrictions and add extra nutritional value.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium ranch seasoning and choosing reduced-fat cheese varieties without compromising flavor intensity.
- Boost vegetable content by adding roasted broccoli, spinach, or diced bell peppers for increased nutrition and color variety.
- Create a lighter version by using Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese and incorporating lean protein like rotisserie chicken breast for fewer calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 435 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Samantha Lee
Recipe Developer & Content Creator
Expertise
Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops
Education
Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)
Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.