We loved my easy slow cooker recipe so much I came up with this creamy chicken recipe that's done in 30 minutes!
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- Tender chicken pieces + creamy sauce = ultimate comfort food
- Simple ingredients make this a crowd pleaser (even for picky eaters)
- Baked macaroni dishes are healthier and tastier than the boxed stuff
This hearty dish starts with a delectable sauce inspired by popular crock pot angel chicken recipes.
Then it's mixed with noodles and baked to gooey perfection like classic, easy mac and cheese. This unique, original recipe combines everyone's favorite things from two delicious dishes into one heavenly new dinner.
I love regular baked macaroni and cheese as much as anyone but this is a fun twist on the old favorite.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, cream of chicken soup, and cream cheese. Microwave, then mix in evaporated milk, Mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and Italian dressing mix powder.
- Cook pasta and chicken, then layer them in a prepared baking dish.
- Pour sauce over the pasta mixture.
- Bake until warm and bubbly. Enjoy!
🥫 Storage
Angel chicken mac and cheese leftovers are great for dinner the next day—and for making your coworkers super jealous at lunchtime!
You can cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or put leftovers into another container. Don't forget to store it in the refrigerator and consume within three days.
This can be frozen but it does lose texture. If you absolutely must freeze it wrap tightly and use within 3 months.
To reheat this easy recipe, microwave until warm.
📖 Variations
Angel chicken mac and cheese is a great recipe to experiment with in different ways. Here are some ideas that could work for your family:
- Though cream of chicken works beautifully with the protein in this recipe, cream of mushroom soup is a delicious alternative.
- We like the mild combination of Italian flavors, but you can experiment with different cheeses. Extra sharp cheddar cheese or Monterey jack are tasty options.
- Add a splash of white cooking wine or your favorite dry white wine to create an extra luxurious, rich sauce.
- Switch up the noodles—use any cooked pasta you prefer! Elbow macaroni, small shells, and penne work great, too. (Though crockpot angel chicken is usually served over a bed of angel hair pasta, small pastas work better in this casserole-style dish.)
- You don't have to use boneless skinless chicken breasts. Next time, make this yummy recipe using chicken tenderloins or ground chicken.
- You could also chop chicken up from a leftover rotisserie.
- Stir in shredded chicken if your kids aren't keen on big chunks of meat.
- Add some veggies for a complete meal! We love to stir in some delicious baby Bella mushrooms. Broccoli is another tasty choice.
- For a homemade macaroni and cheese feeling, top the casserole like Mom used to with some bread crumbs or crushed cornflakes.
Next time you'll want to try my slow cooked angel chicken noodle soup. It's perfect for warming up the chilliest of days!
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: Don't make the dry Italian salad dressing mix into actual liquid dressing. We use the packet as dry Italian seasoning to add lots of flavor with no extra effort.
- Follow the package directions carefully when cooking your pasta, as each shape and brand can vary slightly. Aim for al dente pasta—anything past that and it'll turn mushy after baking.
- To cook chicken quickly, boil it in a stock pot on the stove top until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F degrees.
- You can also cut each breast into smaller pieces and saute them in a large skillet. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper while sauteing for extra flavor.
- If you don't have a casserole dish handy, you can bake angel chicken mac and cheese in a cast iron enameled dutch oven. It's not ideal, but it'll work roughly the same way in a pinch!
👩🍳 FAQs
Good question! The name "angel chicken" was likely coined because of the angel-hair pasta that generally accompanies the meal. You can try the fantastic slow cooker recipe here—it's what inspired this dish!
Al dente pasta still has a bit of a "bite" to it, rather than being fully limp and soft. I like to check the pasta for doneness a minute or two before the package directions say the pasta will be done.
I don't recommend it. Though pasta dishes sometimes freeze okay, the cheese sauce in this recipe doesn't thaw really well.
Sure, Campbell's golden mushroom soup works fine, too! It's made with beef broth and is a little thinner than the cream of mushroom soup, but it won't really affect the creamy consistency too much.
📚 Related recipes
- Crockpot Angel Chicken is the type of dish you'll love from the very first bite. Plus, you can swap angel hair pasta with mashed potatoes or rice!
- Another winning dinner combination, Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese combines the rich flavors of BBQ with creamy cheesiness that will surely crown it the best macaroni and cheese ever!
- Cheesy and comforting, Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti satisfies the whole family. Since it's made in the slow cooker, dinner is always ready when you are!
- If you like spicy you'll love this Spicy Chicken Mac and Cheese made with a salsa verde queso. SO good.
🍽️ Serve with...
📞 The last word
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Angel Chicken Mac & Cheese
Print Pin Recipe SaveEquipment Needed
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ¼ cup butter
- 14 ounces evaporated milk
- 8 ounces Mozzarella, shredded from a block, reserve ½ cup
- ½ cup Parmesan, reserve ¼ cup
- 0.6 ounces Italian dressing mix, I used Good Seasons1.5 pounds chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 16 ounces rotini pasta
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Instructions
- Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with no-stick cooking spray.
- Cook pasta according to instructions on package.
- Drain and add to the prepared baking dish.
- Stir in the cooked chicken.
- Add the butter, cream of chicken soup, and cream cheese to a microwave safe large bowl.
- Microwave on high, for 2 minutes or until blended, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the evaporated milk, Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian dressing mix.
- Microwave on high, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture is like a medium thick sauce.
- Pour over the chicken and macaroni mixture and stir in.
- Mix the remaining cheeses and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake at 375F for 25 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.
Notes
- Don't make the dry Italian salad dressing mix into actual liquid dressing. We use the packet as dry Italian seasoning to add lots of flavor with no extra effort.
- Follow the package directions carefully when cooking your pasta, as each shape and brand can vary slightly. Aim for al dente pasta—anything past that and it'll turn mushy after baking.
- To cook chicken quickly, boil it in a stock pot on the stove top until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F degrees.
- You can also cut each breast into smaller pieces and saute them in a large skillet. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper while sauteing for extra flavor.
- If you don't have a casserole dish handy, you can bake angel chicken mac and cheese in a cast iron enameled dutch oven. It's not ideal, but it'll work roughly the same way in a pinch!
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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