Butter chicken mac and cheese

Tips: Get the best butter chicken mac and cheese

Take your butter chicken mac and cheese from good to great with our practical tips for the recipe.

Chop the chicken evenly

Uniform chicken pieces are key to even cooking. Cut the chicken into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook at the same rate, avoiding some pieces being overcooked while others are underdone.

Combine the ingredients well

For the best flavour, thoroughly mix the cooked chicken and pasta with the cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is well combined, ensuring each bite is coated with a rich, flavourful sauce. Be careful not to over-stir, as this can break the pasta.

Get the perfect pasta consistency

Cook your pasta until it is al dente, meaning it should have a slight bite. This is crucial because the pasta will continue to cook in the oven with the sauce. If it is too soft initially, it could become mushy. Achieving al dente pasta ensures your final dish has the perfect texture, combining a tender bite with the creamy, rich sauce.

Enjoy our tasty recipe for butter chicken mac and cheese

Experience the rich creaminess of classic mac and cheese infused with the bold, aromatic flavours of Indian butter chicken. This recipe masterfully combines these two beloved dishes into a single, sensational meal. The velvety mozzarella and cheddar sauce, enhanced with fragrant butter chicken spices, creates a harmonious blend that will captivate your taste buds. Perfect for both kids and adults, this dish is sure to become a new family favourite.

Indulge in other creamy pasta dishes from our recipe collection. Try a chicken fettuccine Alfredo, creamy spaghetti pesto, mushroom carbonara, cheesy chicken pasta bake, or fried ravioli in tomato sauce.

Tender and savoury chicken cooked in butter

Sautéed until golden brown and seasoned with salt and pepper, the chicken absorbs the rich flavours of the butter and spices in the butter chicken sauce. The chicken pieces become exceptionally juicy and flavourful, with the sauce infusing each bite with aromatic spices and a creamy texture.

The cooking process ensures that the chicken remains moist and tender. The savoury notes from the chicken complement the creamy and cheesy elements, creating an immensely indulgent meal. Each piece of chicken adds a delightful contrast to the tender macaroni pasta and the melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

Creamy butter chicken sauce and melted mozzarella cheese

What sets this mac and cheese recipe apart from the classic version is the butter chicken sauce. We use a ready-made sauce, which typically includes a blend of tomatoes, cream, butter, and a mix of aromatic spices such as garam masala, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. These ingredients come together to create a sauce that is both savoury and slightly sweet, with a mild heat that adds depth without being overpowering.

In our butter chicken mac and cheese, the sauce brings an exotic twist to the classic comfort food. The creamy texture of the sauce complements the cheesy béchamel, creating a luscious and velvety base. The spices add a warm, fragrant undertone that pairs beautifully with the tender chicken and melted cheese. 

An Indian-inspired take on classic comfort food

This recipe is the best fusion of Indian cuisine and cheesy comfort food. Our butter chicken mac and cheese balances warm Indian spices with the smooth taste of an American classic. The dish centres around authentic butter chicken sauce, known for its rich flavours and vibrant spices, combined with melted cheddar and mozzarella for a creamy mac and cheese. The result is a dish that marries the best of both culinary worlds, delivering a truly satisfying meal. Whether you are a fan of traditional mac and cheese or adventurous Indian dishes, this combination will delight your taste buds and become a new favourite at your dinner table.

Get creative with the dish

Elbow macaroni pasta is the usual choice for mac and cheese, but feel free to mix it up with different pasta types. Penne, fusilli, or rigatoni all work great and bring delicious textures to the dish.

Have fun with your cheese choices. While the classic mozzarella and cheddar combo is always a hit, adding other cheeses can add new and exciting flavours. Gouda offers a nutty taste, Monterey Jack brings a creamy texture, and smoked cheese adds an extra layer of depth. For a beautifully browned and crispy top, sprinkle some Parmesan over your dish before baking, maybe with some breadcrumbs, too.

Boost the chicken's flavour with a delicious marinade. Mix yoghurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, ground cumin, ground coriander, garam masala, turmeric powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl to make a smooth marinade. Coat the chicken pieces in the marinade, place them in a resealable bag or shallow dish, and refrigerate for at least an hour, ideally 4–6 hours, or even overnight for the best flavour. Then, continue with the steps in the recipe.

For a fresh finish, try topping your dish with fresh parsley or fresh coriander instead of ground coriander. It adds both colour and flavour, making the Indian spices in the dish pop.