Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
This Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese combines tender macaroni pasta baked in a creamy cheese sauce with spicy buffalo chicken for a comforting, flavorful twist on classic mac and cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or game day treat, this dish balances creamy, cheesy goodness with a kick of buffalo heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Mac and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Buffalo Chicken
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it forms a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine mac and cheese: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well to coat all the pasta evenly.
- Prepare the buffalo chicken: In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with the buffalo sauce, mixing well to evenly coat the chicken.
- Mix and assemble: Gently fold the buffalo chicken into the mac and cheese mixture until evenly combined. Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Bake the dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the buffalo chicken mac and cheese uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
- Serve warm: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the creamy, spicy comfort of Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese!
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for ease and added flavor.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your desired spice level.
- For extra cheesiness, sprinkle additional cheese on top before baking.
- You can substitute the buffalo sauce with hot sauce or wing sauce if preferred.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: Buffalo chicken, mac and cheese, spicy mac and cheese, baked pasta, comfort food, cheesy pasta
