Description
This Creamy Chicken Macaroni Cheese Soup is the ultimate comfort-in-a-bowl. Tender macaroni, juicy shredded chicken, and melty cheese come together in a rich, velvety broth that’s cozy, creamy, and wildly satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup Base
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups dry elbow macaroni
For the Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Optional Add-Ins
- Cooked bacon pieces
- Fresh parsley
- Hot sauce
- Extra shredded cheese
Instructions
1. Sauté the Vegetables
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
2. Build the Soup
- Add shredded chicken and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream.
- Add seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder).
- Bring to a gentle simmer.
3. Cook the Macaroni
- Add elbow macaroni to the pot.
- Simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender.
4. Add the Cheese
- Reduce heat to low.
- Stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, and cream cheese.
- Continue stirring until fully melted and the soup becomes creamy.
5. Serve
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley, bacon, or extra cheese.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, add an extra tablespoon of flour or reduce broth by ½ cup.
- For extra richness: add more cream cheese.
- Add spinach or peas near the end for added color.
- Prep Time: PT10M
- Cook Time: PT20M
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large bowl
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 135mg