Easy Mac and Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken - This is a recipe for an easy Mac and Cheese with rotisserie Chicken. It is creamy, comforting and delicious and made with 3 types of cheese - Mozarella, Parmesan and Cheddar. This is a quick recipe that is ready to eat in 25 minutes!
Easy Mac and Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken
Mac and Cheese is a popular recipe in the US, Canada and the UK. It is made with Macaroni Pasta and Cheese/Cheese Sauce.
Traditionally Mac and Cheese is baked in the oven but it can be made on the stove top too like it is in this recipe.
I love stove top Mac & Cheese. I love the baked version too but this version is so quick and easy and adding shredded rotisserie chicken adds a whole new flavour dimension.
Cheese is usually incorporated into a Bechemel Sauce to create a Mornay Sauce. This is then added to Pasta to create the ultimate in comfort food - Mac and Cheese!
Where did Mac and Cheese originate?
Cheese and Pasta casseroles first became popular in the 14th century!
The first modern recipe for Mac and Cheese was in a recipe book called ‘The exceptional English Housekeeper’ written in 1769, where macaroi was mixed with a Cheddar Cheese Bechemel Sauce (Mornay) a sprinkled with Parmeasan and bake in the oven till bubbly and golden.
Ingredients and substitutions in Mac and Cheese with Chicken
Macaroni Pasta - or small elbow pasta. You can use any small pasta here.
Butter - I use salted butter here. You can use ghee.
Plain Flour or All Purpose Flour - You can use Cornflour mixed with a bit of water for a gluten free alternative.
Olive oil – Vegetable, Corn, Safflower, sunflower, canola, or avocado oils will work too.
Smoked Paprika - For smoky flavour. You can skip it if you like.
Garlic Granules - You can use fresh, jarred or frozen garlic instead.
Cayenne Pepper - For a hint of spice. You can use red chilli powder or paprika instead.
Mustard Powder - or a tsp of English Mustard paste.
Milk - Full fat milk works best. You can sub any plant based milk too.
Salt and Pepper - Season to taste.
Shredded Rotisserie Chicken - or use pre cooked Chicken breast.
Cheese - Mozzarella cheese - Or stretchy cheese as my kids call it, Cheddar cheese (I like a strong Mature one) and Parmesan for lots of flavour and richness!
Hot Sauce (Optional) - I add a dash for flavour! Freshly grated cheese is best.
How to make Mac and Cheese with Chicken
Cook Pasta according to pack instructions minus 2 minutes. Drain, making sure you reserve a ladleful of Pasta Water.
Melt butter in a pot and add Flour, Garlic Granules, Mustard Powder, Smoked Paprika and Cayenne Pepper. Cook for 1 - 2 minutes.
Gradually whisk in the Milk and Pasta Water until it is lump free. Simmer for 5 - 8 minutes until thickened. Season with Salt and Pepper.
Take off the heat, then stir in the Cheese, rotisserie Chicken and Hot Sauce if using.
Top tip for making Stovetop Mac and Cheese with Chicken
Always grate your own Cheese where possible. Pre grated Cheeses usually have a coating on them which stops them from clumping together in the bag but it also stops them from melting as smoothly. In this recipe, the cheese is one of the most important elements, so I wouldn't recommend store brought grated cheese.
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the Microwave or on the hob over medium low heat, with a sprinkling of water for a few minutes.
Can Mac and Cheese be frozen?
Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat gently in the microwave or stove top. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated up to 4 days. Thaw in the fridge overnight. You can reheat in the microwave, or covered in the oven at 180c/350F for 10-15 minutes.
Can I use other shapes of pasta?
You can use any pasta shape in this recipe but it should be of a similar size to macaroni. So smaller varieties of Penne, Farfelle, Conchilige.
Are there any variations for Mac and Cheese?
This is a highly adaptable recipe, and you can chop and change it as you like. Here are some suggestions:
- You can stir in some double cream at the end.
- For cheese - You can use Gruryvre, gouda, havartu, Jalsberg.
- You can use any shape Pasta that you like - Fusilli, Farfalle, Penne all work well.
- Use Ground Meats instead and stir in at the end.
- Use Prawns instead.
- Add toasted Nuts and Seeds for a little bite.
- Change up the Seasonings.
- Add some veg like tomatoes, fried onions, peppers, leeks, corn, mushroom broccoli.
- Throw in some Jalapeños.
- Add herbs such as oregano, thyme.
- Add Leafy Greens such as Spinach, Chard or Kale.
- You can use Chicken Breast instead. See Pic below.
Can Mac and Cheese be Gluten Free?
Yes, you can use Glutein Free Macarnoi in this recipe and Gluten Free Flour too.
Can Mac and Cheese with Chicken be made ahead?
Yes it can be made up to a day ahead.
As it cools though the pasta continues to absorb the sauce so you will need to add some stock or water when reheating.
What to serve with chicken Mac and Cheese
I don’t think that Mac and Cheese necessarily needs a side but Garlic bread is always welcome in my world!
You could also serve with a green salad and veggies such as:
What to serve with Mac and Cheese with Chicken
Roast Vegetables with Feta and Pine Nuts
More Pasta Recipes you may like:
Marks and Spencer Copycat Spinach, Pesto and Pine Nut Pasta
if you try this recipe, or any other recipe on tiffin and tea, please take a moment to ⭐ rate the recipe and/ or leave me a 💬 comment. i love hearing from you, but it also helps shape future content and helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe.
Easy Mac and Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken
Easy Mac and Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken - This is a recipe for an easy Mac and Cheese with rotisserie Chicken. It is creamy, comforting and delicious and made with 3 types of cheese - Mozarella, Parmesan and Cheddar. This is a quick recipe that is ready to eat in 25 minutes!
Ingredients
- 300 g Macaroni Pasta
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 2 ½ tbsp Plain Flour
- ½ tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tbsp Garlic Granules
- ¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper
- ½ tsp Mustard Powder
- 800 ml Milk
- Salt & Pepper
- 75 g Mozarella Cheese
- 300 g Cheddar Cheese I like a strong mature one. Grated
- 50 g Parmesan Cheese Grated
- ½ Rotisserie Chicken Shredded
- Few Drops Hot Sauce Optional
Instructions
-
Cook Pasta according to pack instructions minus 2 minutes. Drain over a pot, making sure you reserve a ladleful of Pasta Water.
-
Melt butter in a pot and add Flour, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Granules, Cayenne Pepper and Mustard Powder. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes stirring to combine.
-
Gradually whisk in the Milk and Pasta Water until it is lump free. Simmer for 5 - 8 minutes until thickened. Season with Salt and Pepper.
-
Take off the heat, then stir in the Cheese, rotisserie Chicken and Hot Sauce if using.
Recipe Notes
Top tip for making Mac and Cheese with Chicken
Always grate your own Cheese where possible. Pre grated Cheeses usually have a coating on them which stops them from clumping together in the bag but it also stops them from melting as smoothly. In this recipe, the cheese is one of the most important elements, so I wouldn't recommend store brought grated cheese.
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