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Creamy Chicken Macaroni Cheese Soup

Creamy chicken macaroni cheese soup with tender shredded chicken, elbow macaroni, and melted cheddar in a rich, creamy broth. Cook the pasta right in the pot and simmer briefly so the flavors meld for a cozy one-bowl dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 690
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Creamy chicken macaroni cheese soup base
  • 2 cup cooked, shredded chicken
  • 1.5 cup elbow macaroni
  • 4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 0.25 Salt and pepper, to taste Use to season; add gradually and taste.

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Sauté aromatics
  1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until softened, about 3-4 minutes, until glossy and fragrant.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil, bubbling steadily across the surface.
Cook the pasta
  1. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions, until tender and slightly firm to the bite.
Make it creamy
  1. Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and shredded chicken until evenly combined and steaming gently.
  2. Gradually stir in the cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, until melted and smooth with no visible cheese clumps.
Season and finish
  1. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir until the broth looks fully seasoned.
  2. Simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld, then serve warm while hot and creamy.

Notes

For the creamiest texture, keep the heat on low once you add cream and cheese to prevent separation. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of chicken broth if it thickens. Freezing is not recommended because the pasta and dairy may change texture. For a dairy-light swap, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and choose a meltable reduced-fat cheddar.