Chicken and Macaroni Soup

🍲🐔 Chicken and Macaroni Soup — Creamy, Cheesy, and Hug‑in‑a‑Bowl Good

This isn’t just soup, it’s a creamy, cheesy, soul‑soothing masterpiece.

 

Let’s talk about the kind of recipe that doesn’t just warm your belly but wraps your whole soul in a blanket of creamy, cheesy goodness. That’s exactly what Chicken and Macaroni Soup does. It’s hearty, it’s flavorful, and it’s the perfect mash‑up of two classics: chicken soup and mac & cheese.

Here’s why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your rotation: it’s versatile enough for weeknight chaos, indulgent enough for Sunday suppers, and impressive enough for holidays when you want to wow without stress. It’s the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but is secretly practical — rotisserie chicken, veggies, pasta, and cheese come together like magic.

And let’s be honest: soup is basically the universal love language of chilly nights. Add gooey cheese and tender pasta? Suddenly, you’re the hero of dinner.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “extra cheesy soup” or team “keep it light and brothy”?

I absolutely love soup! Of course, it’s perfect for Winter when it’s so cold outside but let’s be honest, it’s perfect for any time of the year!

It’s the perfect meal! You put everything in one pot and the most fabulous meal is created!

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

• Chicken: Lean protein + weeknight lifesaver.
• Carrots & Celery: Fiber + vitamins + classic soup base.
• Onion & Garlic: Antioxidants + flavor depth.
• Cheese: Calcium + melty happiness.
• Pasta: Cozy carbs + comfort factor.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you sneak extra veggies into soups, or keep it classic?

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for Soup Success

• Cheese Rule: Add cheese off the heat to avoid clumping.
• Pasta Trick: Cook pasta just until al dente — it will soften more in the soup.
• Flavor Boost: A splash of vinegar brightens the richness.
• Make Ahead: Soup thickens as it sits — add extra broth when reheating.
• Serving Suggestion: Pair with garlic bread or a crisp green salad.

🔄 Recipe Variations

• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or jalapeños.
• Veggie Boost: Stir in spinach or broccoli florets.
• Kid‑Friendly: Use mild cheddar instead of Gruyére.
• Lighter Version: Use all milk instead of half and half.
• Holiday Twist: Add leftover turkey instead of chicken.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version would your family devour first — spicy, veggie‑packed, or kid‑friendly?

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids sprinkle cheese on top (aka edible confetti).
• Use fun pasta shapes to make it more exciting.
• Keep flavors mild — skip Dijon if needed.
• Serve with breadsticks for dipping fun.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Chicken Saver: Rotisserie chicken = shortcut magic.
• Cheese Trick: Buy blocks in bulk and shred yourself.
• Pasta Swap: Any small pasta works — elbows, shells, ditalini.
• Broth Boost: Keep bouillon cubes on hand for emergencies.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “always rotisserie chicken” or team “cook it from scratch”?

🎯 Reader Challenge

This week, I challenge you to make Chicken and Macaroni Soup and serve it at your next family dinner, potluck, or cozy night in. Bonus points if you try one of the variations! Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsSoupLove so we can all drool together and swap ideas.

🥪 Leftover Remix

• Soup‑to‑Casserole: Pour leftovers into a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and cheese, bake.
• Soup‑to‑Dip: Thicken with extra cheese and serve with chips.
• Soup‑to‑Pasta Bake: Mix with cooked pasta, bake until bubbly.
• Soup‑to‑Pie: Spoon leftovers into a pie crust, top with puff pastry or biscuits, and bake for a creamy chicken pot pie twist.
  • Soup‑to‑Breakfast Skillet: Reheat with scrambled eggs and hash browns for a hearty breakfast mash‑up.
  • Soup‑to‑Stuffed Peppers: Use as a filling for halved bell peppers, top with cheese, and bake until tender.

  💬 Reader prompt: Which leftover remix would your family love most — the cozy casserole, the party‑ready dip, or the pot pie twist?

 

 

Chicken and Macaroni Soup

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Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• 3 cups rotisserie chicken, diced
• 1 1/2 cups carrots, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 cups chicken stock
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ¾ tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ½ pound small pasta uncooked
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup half and half
• ½ cup shredded Gruyére cheese
• 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar blend cheese

Instructions

• In a Dutch oven, add the oil and butter and let melt. Add the carrots and celery to the Dutch oven. Cook the vegetables 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the onions, garlic and cook another 3 minutes or until the onion has softened and is translucent.

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

• Add the 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.

• While the soup simmers, shred the rotisserie chicken.

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

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

• When it is the desired consistency, add the cheeses and stir until cheese has melted.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving, Based on 8 Servings)

• Calories: ~390
• Total Fat: 21g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Cholesterol: 85mg
• Sodium: 780mg
• Total Carbs: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 5g
• Protein: 24g

💡 Note: Basically dinner math that says, “Yes, you can still have dessert.”

 

💭 Final Thoughts

This Chicken and Macaroni Soup is proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated to be magical. With tender chicken, creamy broth, melty cheese, and cozy pasta, it’s the kind of recipe that makes everyone at the table sigh with happiness after the first spoonful.

It’s also endlessly adaptable. You can keep it classic, go spicy, sneak in extra veggies, or even turn it into a whole new dish the next day. And because it’s so easy, it’s perfect for weeknights, lazy weekends, or anytime you want to serve up a pot of love.

Here’s the thing about soups — they’re never just food. They’re the smell of garlic sizzling in butter, the sight of steam curling up from a big pot, and the sound of spoons clinking against bowls as everyone digs in.

And this chicken‑macaroni version? It’s a little extra special. It’s hearty, it’s cheesy, it’s comforting, and it’s guaranteed to make you the star of any meal. It’s the kind of recipe that makes people pause mid‑bite and say, “This tastes like home.”

But what I love most is how recipes like this bring people together. Food has that magic — it’s not just about filling bellies, it’s about filling lives with joy, laughter, and connection. This soup is the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary Tuesday into a celebration, or a chilly evening into a memory.

So here’s my challenge to you: make this soup, share it with your people, and then tell me your twist. Did you go extra cheesy? Did you sneak in broccoli or spinach? Did you double the pasta just because you could? (No judgment — I’d do the same.)

💬 Reader prompt: Should we do a “Soup Series” next? I’m dreaming up creamy tomato basil, chicken gnocchi, and maybe even a cheesy broccoli soup that rivals your favorite restaurant.

Until then, may your pasta be tender, your cheese melty, your broth creamy, and your kitchen full of laughter, love, and second helpings. Because at the end of the day, recipes like this aren’t just about eating — they’re about celebrating the little joys that make life delicious. And this Chicken and Macaroni Soup? It’s ready to do exactly that.

Did you try our Chicken and Macaroni Soup recipe? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram! 

 

 

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