Sizzling Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe You’ll Adore

Comfort food reaches new heights with this spicy buffalo chicken mac and cheese that combines creamy pasta with bold, zesty flavors.

Tender chicken pieces nestled in a rich, cheesy sauce bring a mouthwatering twist to the classic mac and cheese.

The buffalo sauce adds a kick that transforms an ordinary dish into something extraordinary.

Melted cheese creates a luxurious base that perfectly complements the spicy chicken.

Crispy breadcrumbs on top provide a delightful crunch that elevates every single bite.

This recipe promises to become a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering.

You’ll want to savor every delicious forkful of this irresistible comfort meal.

Steps to Make Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese with Ease

• Boil the Pasta

Cook pasta in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside.

• Create Creamy Sauce Base

Melt butter in a large pan, whisk in flour until smooth, then gradually blend milk and cream while stirring continuously.

• Build Flavor Profile

Add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to sauce. Stir in cheeses until melted and velvety.

• Spike with Buffalo Heat

Pour buffalo sauce into cheese mixture, blending thoroughly for that signature tangy kick.

• Combine Chicken and Pasta

Mix shredded chicken with pasta and cheese sauce, ensuring every bite is coated with deliciousness.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Transfer mixture to baking dish, top with buttered breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F until crispy and bubbling.

• Serve and Enjoy

Let dish rest briefly, then garnish with green onions and extra buffalo sauce for a crowd-pleasing meal.

Cooking Advice for Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

• Cheese Sauce Smoothness: Whisk continuously while adding milk to prevent lumps and achieve silky-smooth consistency.
• Chicken Preparation: Use rotisserie chicken or shred leftover grilled chicken for quick, tender protein boost.
• Spice Control: Adjust buffalo sauce quantity to match personal heat tolerance – start with less and add gradually.
• Crispy Topping Trick: Toast breadcrumbs in a skillet before sprinkling for extra crunch and golden color.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace wheat pasta with chickpea or rice pasta, use gluten-free flour for roux.
• Low-Carb Swap: Substitute pasta with cauliflower or zucchini noodles for lighter version.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or plant-based chicken alternative.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese for Maximum Flavor

• Cool Appetizer Partner: Crisp celery sticks and carrot sticks provide a refreshing crunch that balances the rich, spicy mac and cheese.
• Cooling Ranch Companion: Drizzle some homemade ranch dressing over the top or serve on the side to mellow the buffalo sauce's heat and add creamy tanginess.
• Fresh Green Sidekick: Toss together a light mixed green salad with cucumber and cherry tomatoes to cut through the dish's richness and add nutritional balance.
• Beverage Buddy: Pair with a cold beer like a light lager or amber ale that complements the spicy buffalo flavors and helps cleanse the palate between bites.

How to Store and Reheat Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

• Quick Fridge Storage: Transfer leftovers to airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated meals stay fresh for 3-4 days, maintaining delicious buffalo chicken mac and cheese flavors.
• Smart Freezing Trick: Wrap individual portions or entire casserole in freezer-safe containers. Frozen dishes maintain quality for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated portions in microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway. For oven method, cover with foil and heat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until steaming. Add small splash of milk to restore creamy texture.
• Meal Prep Hack: Prepare entire recipe ahead, divide into single-serve containers. Refrigerate or freeze for quick weeknight dinners. Perfect for busy professionals wanting home-cooked comfort food without daily cooking stress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 710 kcal

Servings: 6

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Ingredient List

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that cradles creamy sauce perfectly, choose high-quality durum wheat variety for best texture.

• Shredded Chicken: Tender protein that adds hearty flavor, use rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken for maximum juiciness.

• Butter: Creates rich base for roux, select unsalted for precise seasoning control.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens sauce smoothly, ensures silky texture without lumps.

• Milk: Provides creamy consistency, whole milk recommended for fuller flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Enhances luxurious texture, adds depth to sauce.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp flavor backbone, select aged variety for robust taste.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Contributes melting smoothness, choose low-moisture style.
• Blue Cheese: Optional tangy accent, adds complex flavor profile.

• Garlic Powder: Delivers aromatic undertone, ensures even seasoning distribution.
• Onion Powder: Provides subtle savory depth, complements other spices.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces subtle smoky warmth, elevates overall complexity.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies other flavors, use sparingly.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat, freshly ground preferred.

• Buffalo Sauce: Signature tangy heat, choose preferred intensity level.

Tools to Bring Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Together

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta, must be big enough to hold water and pasta.
• Saucepan: Needed to create cheese sauce and melt butter smoothly.
• Whisk: Critical for blending flour, creating roux, and mixing sauce without lumps.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining pasta, chicken, and cheese sauce evenly.
• 9×13 inch baking dish: Crucial for assembling and baking the mac and cheese casserole.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Important for accurately measuring ingredients.
• Colander: Used for draining cooked pasta effectively.
• Cheese grater: Helpful if using block cheese that needs shredding.

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese delivers spicy comfort in one hearty skillet. Melted cheeses and tender chicken combine with zesty hot sauce, creating a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 250 g (8 oz) pasta (elbow macaroni, shells, or penne)
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup buffalo sauce (Franks RedHot or your favorite)
• 3 tbsps butter
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
• 2 tbsps butter, melted
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped green onions for garnish

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted water pot to a vigorous boil, then cook pasta until perfectly al dente. Drain and set aside for later incorporation.
2. Sauce Foundation: In a large saucepan, craft a smooth roux by melting butter and whisking in flour until harmoniously blended. Gradually introduce milk and heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a silky, thickened base.
3. Flavor Infusion: Season the sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and integrate cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted into a luxurious mixture. Blend in buffalo sauce for a spicy kick.
4. Chicken Integration: Combine cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and cheese sauce in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring comprehensive coating of each ingredient.
5. Baking Preparation: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Marry panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, creating a crisp topping.
6. Final Assembly: Sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs and blue cheese crumbles across the surface. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top achieves a golden-brown hue and edges bubble enticingly.
7. Serving Finale: Rest the casserole briefly after removing from the oven. Garnish with chopped green onions and an optional buffalo sauce drizzle. Serve alongside a crisp salad, warm garlic bread, or fresh celery sticks for a complete dining experience.

Notes

• Choose Al Dente Pasta: Cook pasta just until slightly firm to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring perfect texture in the final dish.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust buffalo sauce quantity based on personal heat tolerance, starting with less and adding gradually for customized flavor intensity.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Melt cheese slowly and whisk continuously to maintain smooth, creamy consistency without grainy or oily texture.
• Maximize Breadcrumb Crispiness: Toast panko breadcrumbs with melted butter before topping to enhance golden-brown crunch and prevent soggy surface.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 660
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg