Why Make This Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a fun and exciting twist on classic comfort food. This dish combines the creamy richness of mac and cheese with the spicy kick of buffalo sauce. It’s perfect for game days, parties, or just a cozy family dinner. Not only is it simple to make, but it’s also a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ingredients:
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked, diced boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Directions:
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook rotini until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté diced chicken seasoned with salt and pepper until golden brown (about 5-7 minutes).
- Create Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour to create a roux, then whisk in milk until smooth. Stir in cream cheese until melted. Add shredded cheddar cheese and buffalo sauce; mix until creamy.
- Combine Everything: Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce and chicken until well coated.
- Add Toppings: Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with panko breadcrumbs.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Once out of the oven, let the dish cool for a few minutes. Serve it warm, garnished with sliced green onions for a fresh touch. This dish is great on its own or paired with a crisp green salad.
How to Store Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Tips to Make Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce based on your spice preference.
- For extra creaminess, add more cream cheese or cheese into the sauce.
- Consider adding veggies like broccoli or spinach for additional flavor and nutrition.
Variation
Feel free to make this dish your own! You can swap out the rotini pasta for another type of pasta, like elbow macaroni or penne. You can also try different cheeses, like mozzarella or pepper jack, for a unique twist.
FAQs
1. Can I make Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare it a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just bake it right before you’re ready to serve.
2. How can I make this recipe more spicy?
Add more buffalo sauce or include some chili flakes into the cheese sauce for an extra kick.
3. Can I use a different type of protein?
Absolutely! You can use shredded beef, turkey, or even veggies for a vegetarian version. Try to keep the cooking time similar for best results.
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 oz rotini pasta Can substitute with elbow macaroni or penne.
- 2 cups cooked, diced boneless skinless chicken breast Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken can save time.
Cheese Sauce
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce Adjust based on spice preference.
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Feel free to try different cheeses like mozzarella or pepper jack.
- 4 oz cream cheese For extra creaminess, add more.
- 2 tbsp butter Unsalted butter is preferred.
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour Used to create a roux.
- 2 cups milk Whole milk yields creamier results.
Toppings
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs For topping, can also use regular breadcrumbs.
- 2 pcs green onions, sliced For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil salted water and cook rotini until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté diced chicken seasoned with salt and pepper until golden brown (about 5-7 minutes).
Create Cheese Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add flour to create a roux, then whisk in milk until smooth.
- Stir in cream cheese until melted.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese and buffalo sauce; mix until creamy.
Combine Everything
- Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce and chicken until well coated.
Bake
- Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with panko breadcrumbs.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
