Are you ready to change up your classic mac and cheese recipe? If so, this is creamy King Ranch Mac and Cheese Recipes with chicken are the perfect way to do that!
Why You'll Love My Easy King Ranch Mac and Cheese with Chicken
- Perfect Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese! If you're a fan of Tex-Mex recipes, you're going to love this macaroni and cheese. Inspired by King Ranch Chicken Casserole, King Ranch Mac and Cheese with Chicken will blow your mind. It's cheesy, it's creamy, and oh so satisfying.
- Please forward it! This dinner idea is perfect for making ahead and freezing. Which means it's a really popular dish, just like me King Ranch Casserole RecipeFor new moms to do, or anyone who needs a dinner.
- Taste! This homemade mac and cheese is packed with chicken, peppers, diced tomatoes, two types of melted cheese, and more. This is a recipe that will surprise you with how easy and delicious it is!
What is King Ranch Chicken?
King Ranch Chicken is a Texas-inspired recipe cooked in a casserole form. It is made with cooked chicken, tortillas, gooey cheese, creamy gravy, chili etc However, while I love a good casserole, why not take a good thing and make it even better by combining it with mac and cheese? So, that's what we're going to do.
Recipe ingredients
This King Ranch Mac and Cheese recipe has a few more ingredients than your typical mac and cheese:
- Pasta: I used cavatappi, but you could substitute with another pasta (something like rigatoni or elbow macaroni).
- Butter: Salted or salted – whichever you prefer.
- Onions: You will need 1 medium yellow onion, chopped.
- Chilli: I used a medium green bell pepper and a medium red bell pepper (both seeded and chopped).
- Garlic: mincemeat
- Square tomatoes: 1 (10-ounce) can with green chilies.
- Prepared Cheese: Cubed – something like Velvita.
- Sour Cream: To add extra creaminess.
- Half and half: A mixture of milk and cream can also work if you don't have half and half.
- Spices: I used cumin and pepper.
- Cooked Chicken: I like to use shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Cheese: Grated cheddar cheese is best.
How to Make King Ranch Mac and Cheese with Chicken
Making mac and cheese is one of my favorite weeknight meals. Can anyone get enough of cheesy pasta? (Correct answer: No!) There are basically six parts to making this dish:
Preheat oven to 400°F: Then boil and drain the pasta according to package instructions.
Saute onions and peppers: While the pasta is boiling, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter in a pan and fry the onion and both peppers for 7-8 minutes, until they soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Combine with tomatoes and cheese: Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated, 3-4 minutes. Then add the cubed cheese to the mixture and stir continuously until the cheese melts.
Add the milk and chicken: Mix in the sour cream and half the cheese mixture, season with cumin and pepper and finally add to the chicken.
Combine pasta and chicken mixture: Combine chicken/cheese mixture evenly with cooked pasta in a 3-quart Dutch oven or baking dish.
Tip: If the skillet you started with is big enough and oven safe, there's no need to transfer the mixture to a larger pan.
Add grated cheese and bake: Sprinkle with grated cheese and bake for 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly. Serve immediately.
What kind of cheese to use?
You will need two different types of cheese to make this mac and cheese. I usually use Velvita for pasteurized ready-to-eat cheese, but you can try Kraft instead. For the grated cheese you sprinkle on top, I usually stick to cheddar, but Monterey Jack can work too.
concept of variation
Are there other additions that can be made to this mac and cheese? Of course! Here are some ideas:
- Top with breadcrumbs: Or crushed tortilla chips – something that will add an extra crunch to every bite.
- Adjust the heat: If you like your mac and cheese on the spicy side, you can add a little chili powder.
- Other Add-ins: More peppers (like jalapeños) might be better, or you can toss in bits of bacon, because they make everything better!
Serving advice
If you're trying to think of what to serve with King Ranch Mac and Cheese, here are a few of my options:
- Salad: A big green salad always goes well with this meal. I love it too Rainbow Crunch Salad With this recipe, the creamy pasta contrasts beautifully.
- Vegetables: Roasted mushrooms, broccoli, green beans, etc. Which vegetable is your favorite! I like this simple Air Fryer Asparagus Because it is ready in minutes.
- Garlic Bread: If you don't mind some extra carbs, this is it garlic cloves This is a great side to put together at dinner! this Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Also incredible with King Ranch mac and cheese.
How to Store and Reheat King Ranch Mac and Cheese
You can store this mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When you want to reheat leftovers I recommend leaving them in the oven – uncovered – for 20 minutes or so until they reach the desired temperature.
Can I freeze leftover mac and cheese with chicken?
Definitely! You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for 1-2 months. Don't forget to let the pot thaw overnight in the fridge before eating the pasta again.
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Tired of your regular mac and cheese recipe? Then turn up the heat and give it a try King Ranch Mac and CheesePacked with rotisserie chicken, grated cheddar cheese, bell peppers, creamy pasta and more!
- 8 oz Pasta corkscrew
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 Medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 Medium green bell pepper. Seeds and diced
- 1/2 Medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 2 Clove garlic, minced
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green peppers
- 1 1 pound unpasteurized processed cheese, cubed (like Velveeta)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2/3 cup Half and half
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 4 cups Cooked chicken (I like to use shredded rotisserie chicken)
- 1 1/2 cups Grated cheddar cheese
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Boil and drain pasta according to package instructions.
- While the pasta is boiling, place a large skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter in a pan and fry the onion and both peppers for 7-8 minutes, until they soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated, 3-4 minutes. Then add the cubed cheese to the mixture and stir continuously until the cheese melts.
- Mix in the sour cream and half the cheese mixture, season with cumin and pepper and finally add to the chicken.
- Combine chicken/cheese mixture evenly with cooked pasta in a 3-quart Dutch oven or baking dish.
- Sprinkle with grated cheese and bake for 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly.
- Serve immediately.
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