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Overnight King Ranch Chicken Mac & Cheese Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 38 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes plus overnight refrigeration
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Description

This Overnight King Ranch Chicken Mac & Cheese is a comforting casserole that combines creamy Velveeta cheese, tender rotisserie chicken, elbow macaroni, and a zesty mixture of diced tomatoes with green chiles and taco seasoning. Prepared the night before and baked the next day, this dish delivers rich, cheesy goodness with a Tex-Mex twist, perfect for easy family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Chicken & Sauce

  • 4 cups chopped cooked chicken (about 1 whole rotisserie chicken)
  • 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
  • 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • 1¼ cups milk
  • 1¼ cups chicken broth
  • 1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained
  • 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
  • 2 cups Velveeta cheese, shredded or diced (8 oz)

Pasta & Toppings

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni (uncooked)
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, chicken broth, diced tomatoes and green chiles, and Velveeta cheese. Cook while stirring until the Velveeta cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
  3. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix chopped cooked chicken, the cheese sauce mixture, and taco seasoning. Then stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni until well combined.
  4. Refrigerate Overnight: Pour the pasta and chicken mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow pasta to absorb flavors and soften.
  5. Remove from Fridge: Take the casserole out of the refrigerator and uncover it to prepare for baking.
  6. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to get ready for baking the casserole.
  7. Add Cheese Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake uncovered at 350ºF for 1 hour until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.

Notes

  • Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor, but you can use any cooked chicken you have on hand.
  • Make sure to drain the diced tomatoes and green chiles well to avoid excess liquid in the casserole.
  • This dish is best prepared the night before to let the flavors meld and pasta absorb the sauce.
  • If your oven runs hot, check the casserole around 50 minutes to prevent overbrowning.
  • For a spicier version, add extra green chiles or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated covered in the microwave or oven.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/overnight-king-ranch-chicken-mac-and-cheese-recipe/