Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
A creamy, spicy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese that combines tender elbow macaroni with shredded chicken tossed in tangy buffalo wing sauce, all smothered in a rich cheddar and mozzarella cheese sauce, baked to golden perfection and topped with fresh green onions and optional blue cheese crumbles for an extra kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 3/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Optional: blue cheese crumbles for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare it for baking later.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni until just al dente, then drain and set aside, ensuring it doesn’t overcook as it will bake further in the oven.
- Mix Chicken and Sauce: In a large bowl, toss the shredded cooked chicken with buffalo wing sauce until it’s evenly coated for that classic spicy flavor.
- Make Roux: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, then whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste and create a roux.
- Add Milk and Cream Cheese: Gradually whisk in the whole milk until smooth, then add cream cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; continue stirring until the cream cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth.
- Incorporate Cheeses: Stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and combined into a rich, creamy cheese sauce.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, buffalo chicken mixture, and cheese sauce thoroughly so every piece is well coated.
- Bake: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle chopped green onions and optional blue cheese crumbles on top before serving to add freshness and extra flavor contrast.
Notes
- For extra heat, add more buffalo wing sauce or sprinkle cayenne pepper into the cheese sauce.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, stir in additional cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream.
- Blue cheese crumbles are optional but add a traditional buffalo wing flavor contrast.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
Keywords: Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese, Buffalo Mac and Cheese, Spicy Mac and Cheese, Chicken Pasta Bake, Cheesy Buffalo Chicken
