
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.

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

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.

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.