Creamy, cheesy, and crispy, bacon chicken mac and cheese is sure to be everyone’s favorite comfort food.
Chicken mac and cheese has chicken, bacon, pasta, and cheddar cheese baked in a creamy Alfredo sauce that’s ready in minutes.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Homemade mac and cheese gets a flavor upgrade with juicy chicken and smoky bacon in an extra cheesy sauce.
- Difficulty: This is a straightforward recipe that comes together quickly.
- Swaps: Use cooked ground turkey or sausage instead of chicken. Substitute cream of chicken soup for the cream of mushroom soup.
- Time-Saving Tip: Prepare the chicken and bacon ahead of time for a quicker cooking process.
Creamy Cheesy Ingredients
Meat: Chicken and bacon are a tasty combo. You can use ham or sliced sausage instead of the bacon. This is a great dish for using up leftover chicken or turkey.
Noodles: Elbow macaroni is the classic shape for mac and cheese, but any hearty pasta works. Choose shapes the sauce can cling to and that will hold up with the chicken and bacon. Penne, rotini, cavatappi, or even bowtie will make this a new recipe every time.
Cheesy Sauce: This recipe is all about the bold cheddar cheese blended with rich Alfredo sauce and some cream of chicken soup. For the best results, shred the cheese instead of using pre-shredded if you can since it will melt better. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that inhibit a perfect melt. Add a dash of Tabasco, sriracha, or buffalo sauce for a little heat.
Variations: Swap out the meat altogether and use broccoli and cauliflower florets, or a frozen bag of mixed vegetables (add more baking time if necessary). Top casserole with breadcrumbs and place under the broiler for a crispy brown topping before serving.
How to Make Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Cook macaroni.
- Add Alfredo sauce, mushroom soup, milk, cheese, chicken, and bacon in a casserole dish.
- Top with remaining cheese and bacon.
- Bake (full recipe below).
Best Tips for Storing
- Keep leftover chicken mac and cheese in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little milk stirred in to loosen the sauce.
- Freeze cooled portions in zippered for up to 4 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and add some fresh pasta since thawed pasta won’t be as firm.
More Amazing Casseroles
Did you enjoy this Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Chicken Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces macaroni noodles cooked and drained
- 14.5 ounces Alfredo sauce
- 1 (10.5 ounce can) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken cooked and chopped
- ½ cup crumbled bacon divided
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
- Combine Alfredo sauce, mushroom soup, milk, 1 ½ cups of cheese, chicken, and ¼ cup of bacon in a casserole dish.
- Top with remaining cheese and bacon.
- Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
©The Shortcut Kitchen. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
REPIN this Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe
what is the serving size?
Servings are one-eighth of the recipe, approximately 1 cup.
Do you cook the bacon before baking it?
Great question Jessica! I’ve updated the recipe to indicate that yes, the bacon is cooked. Thank you for asking!
Can I substitute something else for cream of mushroom?
Hi Alidah, you can substitute any “cream of” soup that you prefer 🙂
Tried this recipe tonight for supper and absolutely loved it ..tasted even better the next day ..will add few vegs for color next time ..great receipe thank you ..5 stars in my book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So happy you enjoyed it Pam!
The recipe calls for mushroom soup. Is that cream of mushroom soup?
Yes it is Liliane!
YUM! I love mac and cheese! Looks so delicious and comforting!
Mac and cheese is my ultimate comfort food! Hope you love it Natalie!
Such a great variation of the classic mac and cheese. I’m going to try this
Totally a must try! Let us know what you think Diana.
Cheese, bacon and pasta — what more could you want in a comfort food dish? Sounds amazing!
I know right! It’s the perfect combination of delicious! Enjoy Valentina.
Nothing much better than a great macaroni and cheese recipe for dinner! This recipe with chicken and bacon takes it to another level.
It is sooo tasty Erin! So happy you think so too.
OMG! That totally looks like it should be illegal. Not only does it look amazing but I love how easy this recipe is. Thanks so much for a delicious recipe.
So happy this tasty recipe isn’t illegal! Glad you enjoy it, thanks Megan!