Description

Doritos Mac and Cheese Casserole with Chicken is a bold, cheesy, and crunchy twist on classic mac and cheese. This dish combines creamy, flavorful pasta with tender shredded chicken and a crispy, cheesy Doritos topping. It’s the perfect comfort food for anyone who loves a little crunch with their cheesy goodness.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Casserole:

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups milk
3 cups macaroni noodles
10.5 oz condensed chicken broth
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
7.5 oz Philadelphia Whipped Chive Cream Cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend

For the Topping:

2 cups crumbled Doritos nacho chips
1 cup shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the flour and stir well, cooking for about 3 minutes until slightly golden.

Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Add the uncooked macaroni noodles to the boiling milk. Cover and reduce the heat to low, cooking for about 3 minutes while stirring occasionally.

Stir in the condensed chicken broth and shredded chicken, mixing well to combine.

Add the whipped chive cream cheese, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.

Mix in 2 cups of the shredded cheese blend until evenly incorporated.

Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Sprinkle the crumbled Doritos over the top, followed by the remaining shredded cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 7-9 minutes, or until the cheese on top is fully melted.

Serve hot and enjoy the deliciously cheesy, crunchy combination of mac and cheese with a Doritos twist!

Notes

Chicken Variations: Feel free to swap the shredded chicken for other proteins like ground beef, ground turkey, or even sausage for a different flavor profile. Rotisserie chicken is also a great time-saver!
Doritos Flavor: While the classic Nacho Cheese Doritos are used for the topping, you can try different flavors like Cool Ranch, Spicy Nacho, or even the Taco flavor to add a unique twist to the casserole.
Cheese Blend: If you’re not a fan of mozzarella and cheddar, you can substitute with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or even pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick. For a more pronounced cheese flavor, add some sharp cheddar or Parmesan to the mix.
Pasta Type: Although elbow macaroni is traditional, you can substitute it with penne, rotini, or shells for a different texture.