Cheesy Chicken Taco Mac
Get ready for a flavor-packed fiesta with Cheesy Chicken Taco Mac! This one-pan wonder combines tender chicken, zesty taco seasoning, and gooey cheese for a mouthwatering meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a delicious twist on classic comfort food that the whole family will love!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast
- 1 tsp (5 ml) dried cilantro
- 2 ½ cups (591 ml) elbow macaroni
- Fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) ground meatd garlic
- ½ cup (118 ml) milk
- 10 oz (283 g) rotel
- 2 cups (473 ml) shredded colby jack cheese
- 8 oz (227 g) tomato sauce
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) chicken broth
- chili powder (to taste)
- cumin (to taste)
- oil (to taste)
- onion (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp of oil, the chicken, and a chopped onion.
- 2
Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and dried cilantro.
- 3
Once the chicken is mostly cooked through, add the minced garlic, elbow macaroni, chicken broth, Rotel, and tomato sauce.
- 4
Stir everything together well and bring to a quick boil.
- 5
Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 12 minutes or until the pasta is cooked, stirring halfway through.
- 6
Finally, add the shredded cheese and milk, stir, and let sit until the cheese is melted. Serve topped with fresh cilantro.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cut chicken breast into uniform 3/4-inch pieces before cooking so they reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F simultaneously, preventing overcooking of smaller pieces while larger ones finish.technique3/4-inch pieces, 165°F
- ✓Toast your ground spices (chili powder, cumin) in the hot oil for 30-45 seconds before adding liquid to activate volatile compounds and increase flavor intensity by up to 50%.technique30-45 seconds
- ✓Use a 2:1 ratio of broth to pasta by volume when cooking pasta in the skillet method, as the starch will absorb liquid and create a natural thickening agent for the sauce.ingredient2:1 ratio
- ✓Add cheese off the heat and stir gently to prevent proteins from seizing at temperatures above 180°F, which causes grainy, separated cheese sauce instead of smooth melting.timing180°F threshold
- ✓Let the finished dish rest covered for 3-4 minutes after adding cheese so residual heat completes melting while starches continue absorbing liquid, creating optimal creamy consistency.timing3-4 minutes
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Cheesy Chicken Taco Mac
Get ready for a flavor-packed fiesta with Cheesy Chicken Taco Mac! This one-pan wonder combines tender chicken, zesty taco seasoning, and gooey cheese for a mouthwatering meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a delicious twist on classic comfort food that the whole family will love!
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast
- 1 tsp (5 ml) dried cilantro
- 2 ½ cups (591 ml) elbow macaroni
- Fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) ground meatd garlic
- ½ cup (118 ml) milk
- 10 oz (283 g) rotel
- 2 cups (473 ml) shredded colby jack cheese
- 8 oz (227 g) tomato sauce
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) chicken broth
- chili powder (to taste)
- cumin (to taste)
- oil (to taste)
- onion (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp of oil, the chicken, and a chopped onion.
- 2
Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and dried cilantro.
- 3
Once the chicken is mostly cooked through, add the minced garlic, elbow macaroni, chicken broth, Rotel, and tomato sauce.
- 4
Stir everything together well and bring to a quick boil.
- 5
Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 12 minutes or until the pasta is cooked, stirring halfway through.
- 6
Finally, add the shredded cheese and milk, stir, and let sit until the cheese is melted. Serve topped with fresh cilantro.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cut chicken breast into uniform 3/4-inch pieces before cooking so they reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F simultaneously, preventing overcooking of smaller pieces while larger ones finish.technique3/4-inch pieces, 165°F
- ✓Toast your ground spices (chili powder, cumin) in the hot oil for 30-45 seconds before adding liquid to activate volatile compounds and increase flavor intensity by up to 50%.technique30-45 seconds
- ✓Use a 2:1 ratio of broth to pasta by volume when cooking pasta in the skillet method, as the starch will absorb liquid and create a natural thickening agent for the sauce.ingredient2:1 ratio
- ✓Add cheese off the heat and stir gently to prevent proteins from seizing at temperatures above 180°F, which causes grainy, separated cheese sauce instead of smooth melting.timing180°F threshold
- ✓Let the finished dish rest covered for 3-4 minutes after adding cheese so residual heat completes melting while starches continue absorbing liquid, creating optimal creamy consistency.timing3-4 minutes