Looking for a one-pot comfort meal that hits all the right notes? This creamy chicken macaroni recipe brings together tender pasta, shredded chicken, and a velvety cheese sauce in a soul-satisfying stovetop dish that’s ready in under 30 minutes. With everyday pantry staples like butter, milk, and cheddar cheese, this recipe is simple yet luxurious, making it perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends.

No-Bake Stovetop Mac & Cheese Recipe

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Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Total time

minutes

A quick and creamy stovetop macaroni dish with shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and a flavorful white sauce seasoned with Italian herbs and spices. Perfect for a comforting meal that serves 3–4.

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Ingredients

07 oz Uncooked Macaroni (of choice)
04 cups Water
1 1/2 tsp Salt (Divided)
1 tbsp Olive Oil
4 tbsp Butter (Salted/Unsalted)
2 tbsp Plain Flour
1 ½ cups Cold Fresh Milk
½ cup Pasta Water
1 cup Cheddar Cheese (Shredded)
1 tsp Ground White Pepper
½ tsp Italian Seasoning
½ tsp Paprika
1 cup Cooked Chicken (Shredded)
3 tbsp Fresh Parsley (Finely chopped)

Directions

In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
Add ½ tsp salt and olive oil, then add the macaroni to the boiling water.
Cook until al dente, then drain. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, and set the macaroni aside.
In a separate pan, melt butter over low heat.
Increase the heat to medium-low and whisk in the flour, stirring continuously to form a smooth roux.
Gradually add 1 cup of cold milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
Increase the heat to medium, then pour in the reserved pasta water and let it simmer.
Stir in the cheddar cheese and mix until it melts and fully incorporates into the sauce.
Add white pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika, mixing well.
Pour in the remaining ½ cup of milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens slightly.
Add the cooked macaroni and shredded chicken to the sauce. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
Let it cook over low heat for another 30 seconds.
Turn off the heat and finish with chopped fresh parsley.
Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, cheesy stovetop macaroni!

Recipe Video

Notes

This meal yields 3–4 servings and is incredibly versatile—feel free to swap the chicken with turkey, use gluten-free pasta, or sneak in some veggies like spinach or peas.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of milk to revive the creaminess.