Chicken Macaroni

Chicken Macaroni with step-by-step photos and a video recipe. This chicken pasta recipe is made with chicken breast, macaroni pasta, onions, and bell peppers. It is a quick and easy meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. Serve it as a main dish or side dish.

This chicken and macaroni recipe is so flavorful and easy to make at home. The addition of vegetables makes this pasta a wholesome meal. You can add any vegetables of your choice like carrots, beans, broccoli, etc.

This chicken macaroni recipe is so versatile that you can make it with any other pasta or substitute chicken with any other protein like shrimp. More chicken pasta recipes that you might like are our Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta and Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta.

Why You Need This Recipe

• Easy step-by-step instructions with a recipe video.
• Quick and easy to make at home - This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and it tastes awesome.
• Healthy - This chicken pasta is a healthy and hearty meal. It is loaded with protein (chicken), carbohydrates (pasta), fiber (vegetables), and herbs.
• This recipe is easy to customize. Check out the ingredient list below for alternative ingredients. You can add or skip the ingredients as per the availability.
• Make ahead recipe - You can cook it in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stays good for 2 days.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Pasta - I have used durum wheat elbow macaroni for making this recipe. You can use any other pasta penne, fusilli, bow-tie, rigatoni, etc
• Chicken - I have used boneless skinless chicken breast for this recipe. You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
• Flavoring - Salt and black pepper powder.
• Oil - You can use any neutral flavor cooking oil.
• Onions and garlic - Use fresh onion and garlic. I have used red onions for this recipe. You can substitute it with white onions or yellow onions.
• Vegetables - I have added red, yellow, and green color bell peppers to make this chicken pasta. You can add any other vegetables like carrots, peas, broccoli, etc. Or skip veggies if you do not like them.
• Tomatoes - I have used fresh tomatoes to make this recipe. You can substitute it with canned tomatoes or skip it if you do not have them.
• Red chili powder - You can substitute it with red chili flakes or paprika. If you do not prefer spicy foods simply skip adding them.
• Oregano - Skip if you do not have it. You can substitute it with garam masala powder to make Indian Style Chicken Macaroni. Or use Italian seasoning for more flavors.
• Tomato ketchup - You can substitute it with 2 teaspoon tomato paste. Tomato ketchup adds a pleasantly sweet and savory tomato flavor to the pasta. Do not skip adding it.
• Vinegar - Substitute it with lemon juice.
• Cheese (optional) - You can skip it if you do not like it. I love to top my pasta with cheese. I have used Mozzarella cheese here. Substitute it with Cheddar or Parmesan.
• Coriander leaves (Cilantro) - Substitute them with Parsley.

For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.

Cooking Tips

•  Cook the pasta until al dente which means it should have a slight bite in them. Cook it as per the instructions given on the package. Overcooked or mushy pasta will destroy the flavor.
• Do not overcook the chicken breast. It will turn hard and chewy.
• If you have leftover rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or baked chicken, use them. Shred them or cut into smaller chunks and add them directly to the pan while adding the cooked macaroni.
• You can add any vegetable of your choice or skip it if you do not like them.
• The addition of cheese to the pasta is optional.

How to make Chicken Macaroni (with Stepwise photos)

Preparations

• Chop the onion, garlic, tomato, and bell peppers.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Keep it aside.
• Cook Macaroni - In a saucepan or pot, boil 5 cups of water on medium heat. Stir in salt. Add macaroni and cook as per the directions on the package. It should be cooked al dente (which means it should have a slight bite). Drain off the water. Rinse the macaroni with cold water. Add 2 teaspoon oil. Combine. Keep it aside.

  

Making chicken pasta

• Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Add chicken. Stir and cook until the chicken is cooked. Remove the chicken to a plate (leaving oil in the pan).
• Add onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the pan. Cook it for 2 minutes.
• Next, add tomato. Cook it for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes are soft.
• Add salt, pepper, red chili powder, oregano, tomato ketchup, and vinegar. Combine it well.
• Add chicken and cooked macaroni. Combine. Remove from heat.
• Finally, add cheese (optional) and coriander leaves.
• Serve chicken pasta with any salad of your choice.

  

Storage Suggestions

• Store the leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
• Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. Stays good for 2 days. Reheat and serve.
• Not a freezer-friendly recipe.

Variations that you can try

• Make it with Shrimp - Substitute chicken with shrimp or prawns.
• Make it vegetarian - Skip chicken in the recipe to make it vegetarian.
• For creamy chicken macaroni, add heavy cream.

More Pasta Recipes You May Like

• Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
• Creamy Macaroni Salad
• Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta
• Vegetable Lo Mein
• Spaghetti Marinara

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5 from 2 votes

Chicken Macaroni

Chicken Macaroni with step by step photos and a video recipe. This chicken pasta recipe is made with chicken breast, macaroni pasta, onions, and bell peppers. It is a quick and easy meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. Serve it as a main dish or side dish.

Course Appetizer, Main

Cuisine International

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Author Preeti

Equipment

• 1 Deep bottom pan

Ingredients

To cook macaroni

• 160 grams Elbow Macaroni
• salt to taste
• 2 teaspoon oil

To cook chicken

• 200 grams boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into small cubes
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoon oil

For making chicken macaroni

• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 cup bell peppers chopped (I used red, yellow and green bell peppers)
• 1 tomato chopped
• salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• ½ teaspoon red chili powder or add red chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 3 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• ¼ cup grated cheese optional
• 2 tablespoon finely chopped coriander leaves

Instructions

Preparations

• Chop the onion, garlic, tomato, and bell peppers.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Keep it aside.
• Cook Macaroni - In a sauce pan or pot, boil 5 cups of water on medium heat. Stir in salt. Add macaroni and cook as per the directions on the package. It should be cooked al dente (means it should have slight bite) Drain off the water. Rinse the macaroni with cold water. Add 2 teaspoon oil. Combine. Keep it aside.

Making chicken pasta

• Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Add chicken. Stir and cook until chicken is cooked. Remove the chicken to a plate (leaving oil in the pan).
• Add onion, garlic and bell peppers to the pan. Cook it for 2 minutes.
• Next, add tomato. Cook it for 2-3 minutes until tomatoes are soft.
• Add salt, pepper, red chili powder, oregano, tomato ketchup and vinegar. Combine it well.
• Add chicken and cooked macaroni. Combine. Remove from heat.
• Finally, add cheese (optional) and coriander leaves.
• Serve chicken pasta with any salad of your choice.

Video

Notes

• Cook the pasta until al dente which means it should have a slight bite in them. Cook it as per the instructions given on the package. Overcooked or mushy pasta will destroy the flavor.
• Do not overcook the chicken breast. It will turn hard and chewy.
• If you have leftover rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or baked chicken, use them. Shred them or cut into smaller chunks and add them directly to the pan while adding the cooked macaroni.
• You can add any vegetable of your choice or skip it if you do not like them.
• The addition of cheese to the pasta is optional.