Nacho Lovers’ Dream: Doritos Mac and Cheese Casserole with Chicken Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this doritos mac and cheese casserole that combines creamy pasta and crispy chicken in one mouthwatering dish.

Crunchy tortilla chips add an unexpected twist to the classic mac and cheese recipe.

The blend of melted cheese and savory chicken creates a flavor explosion that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Layers of cheesy goodness sit nestled beneath a golden, chip-crusted topping that provides irresistible texture.

Each forkful promises a perfect balance of crispy and creamy elements that make this casserole truly special.

Quick to prepare and even faster to disappear, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Why You’ll Love This Doritos Chicken Bake

• Supercharge Comfort Food: Transform classic mac and cheese into an exciting, crunchy masterpiece that elevates everyday dinner with a zesty Doritos crunch.
• Minimal Cooking Skills Required: Perfect for home cooks of all levels, this recipe offers simple steps and minimal technical cooking techniques, ensuring anyone can create a delicious meal.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Combines kid-favorite Doritos with protein-packed chicken and creamy cheese, making it an instant hit for picky eaters and adults who love nostalgic flavors.
• Quick Weeknight Solution: Delivers a hearty, satisfying dinner in under an hour, solving mealtime stress with minimal preparation and maximum flavor impact.

Ingredients in Doritos Mac Casserole

• Chicken: Tender and flavorful protein that adds heartiness to the dish.

• Macaroni Noodles: Classic pasta perfect for creamy, cheesy recipes.

• Butter, Milk, Whipped Chive Cream Cheese, Shredded Cheese Blend: Creamy ingredients that create rich, smooth texture.

• Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Simple spices that enhance overall flavor.

• Flour, Condensed Chicken Broth: Helps thicken and develop sauce consistency.

• Doritos: Crispy chips that bring exciting crunch and bold flavor to the casserole.

Instructions for Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Setup

Warm your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create a Buttery Roux

Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat.

Sprinkle flour into the melted butter and stir vigorously, cooking for about 3 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden color.

Step 3: Develop the Creamy Base

Slowly pour milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming.

Let the mixture come to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Add macaroni noodles directly into the boiling milk mixture.

Cover the pot and reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes until pasta begins to soften.

Step 5: Incorporate Protein and Flavor

• Condensed chicken broth
• Shredded chicken

Mix thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.

Step 6: Season and Smooth

• Whipped chive cream cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder

Continue stirring until cream cheese melts completely and creates a smooth sauce.

Step 7: Add Cheesy Goodness

Fold in 2 cups of shredded cheese blend, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.

Step 8: Assemble the Casserole

Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly to create a consistent layer.

Step 9: Create the Crunchy Topping

Sprinkle crumbled Doritos across the entire surface of the casserole.

Top with remaining shredded cheese.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 7-9 minutes, until the cheese on top melts completely and becomes slightly golden.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes.

Serve hot, revealing a deliciously cheesy and crunchy mac and cheese with a zesty Doritos twist.

Tips for Doritos Chicken Mac Success

• Break Doritos into varied sizes for a more interesting texture, ensuring some large chunks remain for maximum crunch.
• Reduce heat when adding cheese and stir constantly to create a smooth, creamy sauce without graininess.
• Use rotisserie chicken for a faster prep or swap with turkey for a different protein option that keeps the dish interesting.
• Experiment with different Doritos flavors like nacho cheese or cool ranch to add unexpected taste dimensions to the mac and cheese.
• Let the mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow sauce to set and prevent a watery consistency.

How to Store and Reheat Doritos Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the mac and cheese fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover the dish with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the Doritos topping.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of milk to restore moisture, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Best Sides for Doritos Casserole

• Boost Flavor Pairing: Serve with crisp green salad tossed in tangy ranch dressing to balance the rich, cheesy casserole and add freshness.
• Complement Crunch: Add cold beer like pale ale or lager which cuts through the heavy cheese and matches the Doritos' salty profile perfectly.
• Enhance Texture Contrast: Pair with pickled jalapeños or quick cucumber pickles to introduce bright, zesty notes that elevate the creamy mac and cheese experience.
• Wine Selection: Choose a light-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc with herbaceous undertones to cleanse the palate between bites of the decadent chicken Doritos mac and cheese.

Flavor Swaps for Doritos Chicken Bake

• Gluten-Free Comfort: Replace flour with cornstarch and use gluten-free macaroni. Select gluten-free Doritos or crushed gluten-free crackers for the topping to make this recipe celiac-friendly.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with roasted cauliflower or plant-based chicken alternatives. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a complete vegetarian version of the casserole.
• Spicy Nacho Edition: Choose spicy Doritos like Flamin' Hot or Spicy Nacho flavor. Add diced jalapeños and a dash of cayenne pepper to increase heat levels. Mix in pepper jack cheese for extra kick.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Replace macaroni with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Use crushed pork rinds instead of Doritos for a crunchy topping. Select a low-carb cheese blend to maintain the creamy texture.

FAQs

• What type of Doritos works best for this recipe?

Nacho Cheese Doritos are the classic choice and provide the most traditional flavor profile. Cool Ranch or Spicy Nacho can also work well depending on your taste preferences.

• Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?

Yes, rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken are excellent alternatives to freshly cooked chicken. Just shred the chicken and mix it into the mac and cheese mixture as directed.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Children typically love both mac and cheese and Doritos, so this dish combines two favorites into one exciting meal. The crunchy Doritos topping adds a fun texture that kids will enjoy.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

You can substitute the chicken with plant-based chicken alternatives or add extra vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli to maintain the protein and texture. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for a complete vegetarian version.

Doritos Mac And Cheese Casserole With Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Doritos mac and cheese casserole with chicken brings crispy, cheesy comfort to your dinner table. Crunchy tortilla chips crown a creamy pasta base, delivering a mouthwatering blend of textures you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups macaroni noodles
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
• 4 cups milk

Dairy and Binding Ingredients:

• 7.5 ounces (212 grams) Philadelphia Whipped Chive Cream Cheese
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Seasonings and Broth:

• 10.5 ounces (298 grams) condensed chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Create a roux in a large pot by melting butter and incorporating flour, whisking continuously until the mixture turns a light golden color and releases a nutty aroma.
3. Slowly pour milk into the roux, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming, and allow the mixture to reach a gentle boil.
4. Add uncooked macaroni directly into the boiling milk mixture, reducing heat to low and covering the pot to allow the pasta to cook and absorb the liquid.
5. Incorporate condensed chicken broth and shredded chicken into the creamy pasta, stirring to distribute ingredients evenly.
6. Blend in whipped chive cream cheese, seasoning with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder until the mixture becomes smooth and the cream cheese fully melts.
7. Fold in two cups of shredded cheese blend, ensuring a thorough and uniform distribution throughout the pasta.
8. Transfer the creamy pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out to create an even layer.
9. Crush Doritos into rough pieces and sprinkle them over the pasta, then top with the remaining shredded cheese for added texture and flavor.
10. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese becomes completely melted and bubbly, and the Doritos turn a golden brown, approximately 7-9 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then serve this indulgent, crunchy mac and cheese casserole to eager diners.

Notes

• Crush Doritos slightly before topping to ensure even crunch and better distribution across the casserole.
• Swap regular chicken with rotisserie chicken for extra flavor and faster preparation.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free pasta.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg