Mac and cheese is great. Mac and cheese with chicken? Epic! This recipe was born out of equal parts hunger and leftover chicken, and now I can’t believe I ever made mac and cheese without it. Creamy, cozy, protein-packed, and ridiculously easy – your new weeknight hero has arrived.

Two green kids bowls, full of macaroni and cheese with chicken with a green spoon resting inside in a blue napkin.

Now, I’ve been known to sneak veggies into my mac and cheese, Broccoli Mac and Cheese, Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, and my kids’ favorite Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese. But chicken? That one had never crossed my mind before. Then one night, staring down a container of leftover rotisserie chicken, I had a full lightbulb moment – and honestly, I haven’t looked back since.

This homemade, creamy mac and cheese with chicken comes together just as quickly as traditional mac and cheese. You’ll need cooked chicken, but a store-bought rotisserie, grilled chicken, or any lightly seasoned leftovers work perfectly. It’s the kind of comforting, hearty meal that checks every box – quick, satisfying, and totally family-approved.

#MyMomHack: Want to level up this mac and cheese and secure your unofficial Mom-of-the-Year title? Add chopped broccoli to the pasta water for the last 2 minutes of cooking. No extra dishes, no extra time, and suddenly you’ve made a veggie AND protein-packed dinner like the total kitchen wizard you are. 🏆

Mac & Cheese with Chicken Video

Ingredients

Ingredients for chicken, mac & cheese, and small white bowls with graphic labels, telling them what they are against a white countertop.

How to Serve to Kids

I usually serve this mac & cheese to my kids with a side of fruit (cut strawberries, apple slices or canned mandarin oranges) and a simple veggie (cut carrot sticks, steamed broccoli or cucumber slices). The name of the weeknight meal is e.a.s.y, so I lean into that effort with my whole heart.

Blue toddler plate with chicken, mac & cheese, strawberries, and cut carrots on a white counter.
Two green kids bowls, full of macaroni and cheese with chicken with a green spoon resting inside in a blue napkin.

Get the recipe: 15-Minute Mac & Cheese with Shredded Chicken (Kid-Favorite!)

5 stars (1 rating)
Mac and cheese is great. Mac and cheese with chicken? Epic! This recipe was born out of equal parts hunger and leftover chicken, and now I can’t believe I ever made mac and cheese without it. Creamy, cozy, protein-packed, and ridiculously easy – your new weeknight hero has arrived.
Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Author: Michele Olivier
Course: Main Course
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Ingredients 

  • 8 oz pasta, small shaped
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup milk regular or plain plant-based milk
  • 4 oz block of cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp pepper optional
  • 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded, chopped or small strips

Instructions 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add pasta, and cook according to the directions on the box for 'al dente.' Drain pasta and reserve.
    A silver sauce, pan, full of boiling water and pasta against a white background.
  • In the same pot, over low heat, add in the butter and let melt. Add in the milk, and shredded cheese and whisk until melted and smooth. This will take a minute or two to fully melt.
    Silver sauce pan full of a homemade cheese sauce.
  • Add in the pasta, yogurt, chicken, and salt and pepper and gently stir until combined.
    Silver sauce, pan, full of cooked noodles, yogurt, and shredded chicken.
  • Serve and enjoy!
    A green and blue bowl for kids full of chicken mac & cheese.

Notes

Age: can be served to 6+ months, but read tips above.
Storage: store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Can also be frozen for up to 2 months. When reheating add in more milk and stir until the cheese is smooth.
Recipe Tips
  • Shredding your own cheese is preferred, as it melts better than pre-shredded.
  • Feel free to use sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger cheese flavor more similar to traditional mac and cheese or go with a mild cheddar for a softer flavor.
  • To make meal prep even quicker, use a rotisserie chicken.
  • Win over even the pickiest of toddlers and older kids by letting them choose from a couple toppings they can sprinkle over their bowl, such as bacon crumbles, everything bagel seasoning, panko breadcrumbs, or grated parmesan cheese.  

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Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).