Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Macaroni Soup is about to be your new favorite comfort food! I’ve combined delicious, creamy soup with cheeeesy macaroni and cheese to create the perfect dish: Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup. You’re going to want to eat a bowl of this every day!

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Macaroni Soup

Macaroni Soup is the magical combination of two of the best comfort foods ever: macaroni and cheese, and soup! It’s cheesy, it’s creamy, and it’s quite possibly the most comforting recipe I’ve ever made. A big bowl of this stuff is exactly what you need this fall and winter season!

I have so many mac and cheese recipes, and a lot of amazing soup recipes too. It’s about time I combined them into one perfect dish! This Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup is everything I love about food. It’s warm, it’s filled with cheese…and that’s about all that matters to me. Mac and cheese in soup form is just my kind of meal!

This Macaroni Soup is made with chicken, lots of cheese, some veggies, and shell pasta. The base has the creamiest texture, while the noodles and veggies give it a heartiness to fill you up. And we’re serving it with the perfect side, cheesy crostini. This toasted bread with a layer of melted cheese goes so well with the mac and cheese soup!

Make this Macaroni Soup asap for the most comforting meal of your life! Everyone will love it, and I guarantee you’ll be making it over and over again this season.

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup is your new favorite comfort food. This cheese Macaroni Soup is basically everything you’ve ever dreamed of in one bowl!

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup

I love macaroni and cheese. I love soup. I love chicken. The obvious thing to do is to combine them all into one perfectly delicious dish! This Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup does just that. It’s one of the best comfort food recipes I’ve ever made and/or eaten, which means I’m going to be making it all winter long! I don’t care what the health gurus say, we need our cheese and our carbs during the colder months of the year, so I’m going to fill myself with this macaroni soup and be happy about it.

What’s in this Chicken Macaroni Soup recipe?

  • Chicken
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Shell pasta
  • Chicken Stock
  • Multiple types of cheese (because 1 is never enough)
  • Half & Half
  • White Wine
  • Nutmeg
  • Thyme
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Onion

It’s basically the perfect mac and cheese recipe in soup form, with chicken and veggies thrown in for good measure. I’m obsessed with this recipe and I think you will be too!

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

How to Make Macaroni Soup

This Macaroni Soup is a pretty straight-forward recipe. Just like most soup recipes, everything will be cooked in one pot, and it is just a matter of adding in your ingredients at the right time and letting it all simmer and cook together. Simple!

How to make Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup:

  1. Prepare the Chicken – Start by seasoning your chicken breasts, then add them into dutch oven after melting the butter. Cook the chicken for about 3 minutes on each side, then removed from the pot and set aside.
  2. Make the Soup – Start with the carrots and celery in the dutch oven for a few minutes, then add in the onions to cook. Slowly stir in the chicken stock and wine, then bring to a boil. Add in the seasonings and the pasta shells, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes (until pasta is cooked through).
  3. Finishing Touches – Cut or shred the chicken breasts, then add them into the soup along with the milk. Let the soup simmer another 10 minutes, and then stir in the cheese to melt.

This macaroni soup comes out just right, with a creamy texture, a cheesy flavor, and the perfect amount of veggies and herbs to finish it off. Yum! Check the recipe card for more detailed instructions. And don’t forget to make the cheesy crostini to serve with this soup recipe!

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

Cheesy Toasted Crostini Recipe

This cheesy Macaroni Soup is sooo good, and I think the cheesy crostini is the perfect addition to this simple meal. I love having hearty, crusty bread to serve with soups because I’m a big fan of dipping. And what better way to highlight the CHEESE part of mac and cheese soup than to serve it with CHEESY bread? Yes, I have a cheese problem. But this Cheesy Toasted Crostini recipe really adds something to the comfort aspect of this dish, so don’t skip it!

Just take a baguette, cut it into thin slices, bake the bread with olive oil, then pile the cheese on top and broil it. It’s such a simple addition to this macaroni soup but it makes all the difference!

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

Are you sold on this chicken mac and cheese/soup hybrid yet? It is by far the most comforting food ever, and I know you’ll love it. Make this cheesy macaroni soup ASAP!

See the recipe card below for details on how to make Macaroni Soup with Chicken. Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll love these delicious recipes too:

  • 15 Minute recipe for Macaroni and Cheese
  • Baked Mexican Mac and Cheese
  • Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe
  • Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
  • Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
  • Creamy Chicken Soup Recipe

Recipe

Chicken Macaroni Soup

4.53 from 572 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 30 minutes minutes

Total: 50 minutes minutes

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

Serves6

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Macaroni Soup is about to be your new favorite comfort food! I've combined delicious, creamy soup with cheeeesy macaroni and cheese to create the perfect dish: Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup. You're going to want to eat a bowl of this every day!

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

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Ingredients

For the Toasted Cheesy Crostini

  • 1 French baguette cut into 1-inch slices
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup shredded cheese cheddar or Italian blend
  • teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

For the Soup

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 3 cups cooked chicken
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ¼ stick
  • 3 carrots cut into ⅛-inch slices
  • 1 rib celery cut into ⅛-inch slices
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • ¼ cup semi-dry or dry white wine one you like to drink; optional
  • 1 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • ¾ tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ pound small shell pasta uncooked
  • 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
  • ½ cup shredded Gruyére cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
  • ½ cup shredded Cheddar blend cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish
  • Smoked paprika or grated nutmeg optional

Instructions

For the Toasted Cheesy Crostini

  • Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.

  • Place the baguette slices on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle them with oil.

    1 French baguette, 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • Bake for 10 minutes, then turn each piece over and bake another 5-10 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.

  • When ready to serve, set the oven to broil.

  • Top each crostini with a mound of cheese and sprinkle (very lightly) with crushed red pepper flakes.

    ½ cup shredded cheese, ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • Broil 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted and has a little color on top.

  • *NOTE: If not using crostini to top the soup, add ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper to the soup. This will add a little “kick” to the soup but won’t make it spicy.

For the Soup

  • Pat the chicken breast dry using paper towels and sprinkle both sides of the breasts with salt and pepper.

    2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Kosher salt, Freshly ground black pepper

  • Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat and add the oil. When the oil shimmers, add the butter and the chicken breasts. Cook the chicken breasts 3 minutes or until the pan-side is golden brown. Flip the breasts over and cook another 2-3 minutes. Transfer the breasts to a plate; set aside.

    2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Add the carrots and celery to the still-hot Dutch oven and, if needed, add 1-2 more tablespoons oil. Cook the vegetables 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the onions and cook another 3 minutes or until the onion has softened and is translucent.

    3 carrots, 1 rib celery, 1 yellow onion

  • Slowly add the chicken stock, while stirring to deglaze the pan, and add the wine. Stir well. Bring the stock to a boil.

    4 cups chicken stock, ¼ cup semi-dry or dry white wine

  • Add the thyme, nutmeg, mustard and pasta. Stir well and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the soup about 30 minutes. The pasta should be cooked through and the broth thickened.

    1 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, ¾ tablespoon Dijon mustard, ½ pound small shell pasta

  • While the soup simmers, cut or shred the cooked chicken breasts.

  • After 30 minutes, turn the heat to medium and add the milk and cut chicken breasts.

    2 cups whole milk

  • Bring the soup to just below boiling and immediately reduce the heat to low. Cook the soup 10 minutes or until it has thickened slightly.

  • When it is the desired consistency (soup-ish but not stew-ish), add the cheeses and stir until cheese has melted.

    ½ cup shredded Gruyére cheese, 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese, ½ cup shredded Cheddar blend cheese

  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  • Ladle the soup into bowls and top with one or two Toasted Cheesy Crostini (depending on the size).

  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, sprinkle lightly with smoked paprika or grated nutmeg and…

    Chopped fresh parsley, Smoked paprika or grated nutmeg

  • Enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1bowl Calories: 742kcal (37%) Carbohydrates: 64g (21%) Protein: 37g (74%) Fat: 36g (55%) Saturated Fat: 16g (100%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g Monounsaturated Fat: 12g Trans Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 98mg (33%) Sodium: 1138mg (49%) Potassium: 775mg (22%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 12g (13%) Vitamin A: 5901IU (118%) Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) Calcium: 557mg (56%) Iron: 3mg (17%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (12)

Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (13)

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Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup (Macaroni Soup) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

Should pasta be cooked before adding to soup? ›

To ensure you get it just right, make sure the soup is nearly cooked before adding the pasta. Smaller pasta shapes soak up broth readily so ensure you serve the soup as soon as it's cooked. Alternatively, you could cook the pasta separately and add to the soup at the last moment.

What pasta holds up best in soup? ›

Ditalini. Ditalini, literally translated to “l*ttle fingers,” is a small, tubular pasta commonly found in Italian and Sicilian cuisines. Because of its small size (you can fit a few into a spoon), this pasta is perfect for soups.

Should I cook my noodles separately for chicken soup? ›

By cooking noodles in a separate pot, you're giving them the best chance to become the best version of themselves—well salted and well cooked. After boiling the noodles, I like to drain them, add a portion to each bowl, and ladle broth (and whatever is in the broth) on top.

What is the best cut of chicken for soup? ›

For a hearty and flavourful soup, Chicken Thighs or Legs are ideal. The darker meats along with the bones provide a stronger taste compared to white meat (breast), creating a richer broth with plenty of flavour. Add them in along with your broth (or stock) after your soffritto is done.

How to keep noodles from getting soggy in chicken noodle soup? ›

How to make chicken noodle soup without the noodles getting soggy? Cook Noodles Separately: Instead of cooking the noodles directly in the broth, boil them in a separate pot of water according to the package instructions. This ensures that the starch from the noodles doesn't thicken your soup and make it cloudy.

Should pasta be fully cooked before baking? ›

Dried pasta needs to be par-boiled, then drained before using it in baked dishes. Just boil for half the time specified on the package. There is a type of dried no-boil lasagna sheets that don't require par-boiling, but they need extra water added to the sauce.

What kind of pasta is best for chicken soup? ›

Best Noodles to Use: I prefer wide egg noodles in chicken soup, but any homestyle egg noodles work. You can use other dry pasta too, such as elbow macaroni or fettuccine (break up to fit on soup spoon). If using a smaller pasta, reduce amount to 2-3 cups. A few readers have even used tortellini!

What kind of noodles don't get soggy in soup? ›

What kind of noodles are best for soup? This is mostly up to your preference, but it is usually best to use a pasta that doesn't absorb a lot of liquid – which then leads to a mushy noodle. Egg noodles tend to be the top choice, and I love to use these homemade egg noodles.

How do you keep macaroni from absorbing soup? ›

Use oil or butter: Adding a small amount of oil or butter to the soup can help prevent the noodles from sticking together and absorbing too much liquid. The oil or butter creates a barrier that prevents the noodles from absorbing excessive moisture [3].

When to add potatoes to soup? ›

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion and celery leaves.

Why use egg noodles in soup? ›

Egg noodles, as their name suggests, include the addition of egg, which creates a more tender, fluffier, and savory result. Not only do they have their own flavorful footprint, but they also match -- and easily absorb -- the savoriness of an herby chicken broth, ensuring each slurp is as tasty as can be.

Should you cook chicken noodle soup with lid on or off? ›

To thicken a soup, stew, or sauce, leaving the lid uncovered is ideal. "It must be off, or semi-covered, if you are slowing down the reduction process," says Stephen Chavez, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education.

What is the best broth for chicken soup? ›

Swanson Chicken Broth

“This is such a good broth for chicken noodle soup,” says Mark Neufang in the Test Kitchen. Swanson's broth is perfectly savory with the right blend of carrots, celery, onion and a little something extra. “This brand has an almost buttery quality to it,” explains Mark.

Does chicken soup taste better the longer you cook it? ›

While broth and stock both get richer and richer the longer you cook them, the problem is that the chicken meat will dry out and get tough if you let it go too long.

Can I put raw chicken in my soup? ›

You can cook the chicken at a high-enough temperature to kill bacteria by turning up the heat on the broth, but for a much safer and tastier method, brown your chicken first. Browning or searing the chicken in a separate pan is not only far more foolproof, but adds richness and extra umami to your soup.

Do Italians cook pasta in broth? ›

This is never more true than in the simple Italian soups in which egg noodles, shaped factory pastas, or stuffed pastas and dumplings such as tortellini and gnocchi are cooked and served “in brodo” — which is to say, in clear broth.

Does cooking pasta in broth make a difference? ›

Pasta. Cooking pasta in broth helps the flavors to combine, infusing the pasta with savory flavors but also imbuing the broth with a starchy goodness that gives it body and thickness. This works especially well in soups, like this three-cheese tortellini in Parmesan broth.

Do you add cooked or uncooked pasta to minestrone? ›

In many minestrone recipes, the uncooked pasta is added directly to the broth and left to simmer until just cooked.

References

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