Cheesy Garlic Macaroni and Chicken Casserole

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-03 · Updated 2026-04-03

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A creamy, cheesy casserole with tender chicken and al dente macaroni, topped with crispy breadcrumbs and Parmesan. This American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, chicken breast, milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 cups elbow macaroni
300g (sliced) chicken breast
1/2 cup milk
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tbsp butter
2 (minced) garlic cloves
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp (chopped) fresh parsley

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook 1.5 cups elbow macaroni in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 300g chicken slices and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides.
Step 4: Fold in cooked macaroni and 1/2 cup breadcrumbs. Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.