White Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese

Featured in Center of the plate recipes.

This One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese merges two beloved comfort foods into a single satisfying dish. The recipe builds layers of flavor by cooking chicken with aromatic spices, poblano peppers, and garlic, then combines it with pasta cooked right in the same pot. Cream cheese and melty shredded cheese create richness, while white beans, green chiles, and salsa verde add authentic chili elements. The dish is finished in the oven for the perfect cheesy top, creating a meal that's both comforting and exciting with just the right level of heat.
A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:56:39 GMT
One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac And Cheese pin it
One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac And Cheese | myhomemaderecipe.com

A perfect blend of two comfort food favorites comes together in this One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese. This cozy creation combines the warming spices of white chicken chili with the creamy comfort of mac and cheese, all conveniently prepared in a single pot.

Last winter, during a particularly cold spell, I combined my family's two favorite comfort dishes into this hybrid creation. The way the pasta soaks up the spicy chili flavors while swimming in creamy cheese sauce made it an instant hit.

Essential Ingredients

  • Chicken Breasts: Choose fresh, boneless for easy shredding
  • Elbow Macaroni: Holds sauce in every curve
  • Poblano Peppers: Adds gentle heat and depth
  • Cream Cheese: Creates silky sauce base
  • White Cheddar: Provides sharp flavor
  • Pepper Jack: Adds extra heat and meltability
  • Green Chilies: For authentic chili flavor
  • Salsa Verde: Brings bright tang
  • Fresh Cilantro: Essential for finishing

Detailed Instructions

Base Development (15 minutes):
Melt butter in large deep skillet. Sauté onions until translucent. Add chicken and seasonings. Cook until chicken begins to brown. Add garlic and poblanos. Let flavors develop together.
Building Flavors (12-15 minutes):
Add broth to skillet. Allow chicken to cook through. Remove and shred chicken. Keep broth simmering. Return chicken to pan. Season and taste as you go.
Pasta Integration (10-12 minutes):
Add pasta directly to broth. Pour in additional water. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Cook until pasta is tender. Add cream cheese gradually. Stir until completely melted.
Final Assembly (8-10 minutes):
Mix in salsa verde and chilies. Add white beans. Stir in half the shredded cheese. Top with remaining cheese. Transfer to oven. Bake until bubbly and golden.
One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac And Cheese pin it
One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac And Cheese | myhomemaderecipe.com

The breakthrough moment came when I realized letting the pasta cook directly in the seasoned broth created an incredibly flavorful base. Each piece of pasta becomes infused with the chili flavors while helping to thicken the sauce.

Professional Chef Tips

  • Shred cheese at room temperature for better melting
  • Keep extra broth warm for adjusting consistency
  • Toast spices before adding liquid
  • Reserve some cheese for garnish
One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac And Cheese pin it
One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac And Cheese | myhomemaderecipe.com

Temperature Control

  • Keep broth at gentle simmer for pasta
  • Remove pan from heat before adding cream cheese
  • Let dish stand briefly after baking
  • Monitor carefully during cheese melting phase
  • Adjust oven temperature based on your pan

Serving Suggestions

  • Fresh lime wedges
  • Additional fresh cilantro
  • Diced avocado
  • Crispy tortilla strips
  • Sour cream for cooling

Make-Ahead Options

  • Prepare chicken and vegetables ahead
  • Store grated cheese separately
  • Make extra spice mixture
  • Have garnishes ready
  • Reheat gently with extra broth

This One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese represents the best kind of comfort food fusion - taking two beloved dishes and creating something even better. The combination of spicy chili flavors with creamy, cheesy pasta proves that sometimes the most creative recipes come from combining favorites. Whether served on a cold winter night or for casual entertaining, it never fails to satisfy both chili and mac and cheese cravings at once.

One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac And Cheese pin it
One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac And Cheese | myhomemaderecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why cook the pasta in the same pot?
Cooking pasta in the broth adds starch to create a creamier sauce and infuses more flavor.
→ Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, adjust the amount of chiles, poblanos, and choice of cheese to control heat.
→ Why use room temperature cream cheese?
Room temperature cream cheese melts more smoothly into the sauce without lumps.
→ What's the best cheese to use?
Any combination of colby, cheddar, or pepper jack works well for melting.
→ Can I make this ahead?
While best served fresh, leftovers can be reheated with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.

White Chicken Chili Mac & Cheese

A fusion comfort dish blending the bold flavors of spicy white chicken chili with creamy mac and cheese, all made in one simple pot.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American Fusion

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Base

01 2 tablespoons salted butter or olive oil
02 1 yellow onion, chopped
03 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
04 4 cloves garlic, chopped
05 2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped

→ Seasonings

06 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 ½ teaspoon chili powder
09 Salt and black pepper

→ Sauce & Pasta

10 4 cups broth
11 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
12 1 can white beans, drained
13 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
14 ½ cup salsa verde
15 1 pound short cut pasta
16 2 cups shredded melty cheese (colby, cheddar, or pepper jack)

→ Garnish

17 Green onions for serving
18 Cilantro for serving

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Step 02

Cook butter, onions, and chicken in large pot over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Add garlic, poblanos, and seasonings. Cook 5 more minutes.

Step 03

Add broth, partially cover, and simmer 5-10 minutes until chicken is cooked. Remove and shred chicken.

Step 04

Add pasta and 2 cups water to pot. Boil, then simmer 10 minutes until al dente, stirring often.

Step 05

Stir in cream cheese, shredded chicken, beans, salsa verde, chilies, and 1 cup cheese. Top with remaining cheese and bake 5-10 minutes until melted.

Notes

  1. One-pot meal combining chili and mac and cheese
  2. Can use different types of melty cheese
  3. Choice of chicken breasts or thighs

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot
  • Forks for shredding

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cream cheese, shredded cheese)
  • Contains gluten (pasta)