Description
Delicious and convenient Chicken Mac and Cheese Cups baked to golden perfection, combining tender chicken, creamy cheeses, and perfectly cooked macaroni in easy-to-serve muffin-sized portions. Perfect for lunches, snacks, or meal prep with a kid-friendly twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, finely chopped or shredded
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.75 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Seasonings
- 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing muffin pan
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a standard muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine macaroni and chicken: In a large bowl, mix the cooked elbow macaroni with the finely chopped or shredded cooked chicken to create the base of the cups.
- Add cheeses: Add 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese and 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese into the macaroni and chicken mixture, stirring well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare milk mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, large egg, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until fully blended to create a creamy binding mixture.
- Combine all: Pour the milk mixture over the macaroni and cheese blend, stirring thoroughly so every piece is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Fill muffin cups: Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pan cups, gently pressing down to pack the mixture tightly so they hold shape while baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, until the tops are set, slightly golden, and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cups to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them. Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- These Chicken Mac and Cheese Cups are ideal for packing into lunchboxes or prepping meals ahead of time.
- For added flavor and nutrition, mix in cooked broccoli, peas, or crispy bacon bits before baking.
