Can I substitute the chicken?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works beautifully when you need a shortcut. Dice it or shred it right before adding it to the soup.

Can I use different pasta shapes?

Yes—small shapes like shells or ditalini work great. Just avoid anything too large or it overpowers the soup.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The pasta will thicken the soup, so when reheating, add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up.

Can I freeze this soup?

Because of the dairy and pasta, this soup doesn’t freeze well. It tends to separate and become grainy. But honestly, we rarely have leftovers anyway!

Can I make this less rich?

Swap part of the cream for additional whole milk, or use half-and-half. It will still be deliciously cozy.

7 Irresistible Creamy Chicken Macaroni Cheese Soup Tips

Description

A rich, velvety bowl of Creamy Chicken Macaroni Cheese Soup made with tender shredded chicken, soft macaroni, and a luscious cheesy broth. This cozy, comforting recipe comes together easily and delivers warm, satisfying flavor in every spoonful.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups cooked shredded chicken
2 cups elbow macaroni
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and garlic; sauté until softened.
Sprinkle in flour and whisk to form a light roux.
Slowly pour in chicken broth and milk, whisking until smooth.
Add shredded chicken, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
Add cooked macaroni and simmer 3–5 minutes more.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
Add more cheese for an extra-rich, indulgent soup.
Thin with additional broth if you prefer a looser consistency.

This soup thickens as it cools — just stir in a splash of broth when reheating.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 435 Kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 950 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg