Creamy Chicken Mac & Cheese Soup
A comforting and satisfying dish that combines rich and creamy mac and cheese with tender chicken in a warm soup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion (finely diced)
- 2 medium carrots (finely diced)
- 2 stalks celery (finely diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (freshly grated)
- 1/2 cup extra cheese (optional for topping)
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- Fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
- 1/2 cup crispy bacon bits or croutons (for added texture)
Instructions
- Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the spices: Sprinkle in the dried thyme and smoked paprika, mixing well to coat the vegetables.
- Make the roux: Stir in the all-purpose flour, cooking for about 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Incorporate the liquids: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth. Once combined, add the whole milk and heavy cream, continuing to whisk until fully incorporated.
- Add the chicken and pasta: Stir in the cooked chicken and elbow macaroni. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Cheese it up: Reduce the heat to low, then gradually add the grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Stir constantly until the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with fresh parsley or chives. For an extra treat, sprinkle crispy bacon bits or croutons on top.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated cheese and cook the macaroni separately if preferred.