Welcome to the ultimate indulgence: Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese! This isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary experience that brings together two beloved comfort foods into one irresistible dish. Imagine rich, creamy macaroni and cheese infused with the bold, spicy kick of buffalo chicken. It’s perfectly savory, deliciously tangy, and guaranteed to become a new family favorite. Whether you’re hosting a game night, planning a cozy dinner, or simply craving something extraordinary, this recipe delivers on flavor, comfort, and sheer deliciousness.
Our easy-to-follow recipe ensures you can create this masterpiece right in your own kitchen, even on a busy weeknight. With a quick homemade cheese sauce that’s velvety smooth and generously studded with tender, buffalo-flavored chicken, every bite is a delightful explosion of flavor. Get ready to elevate your comfort food game and discover why this buffalo chicken mac and cheese is truly an out-of-this-world experience!
Why This Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a Must-Try
This isn’t your average mac and cheese. We’ve taken a classic, comforting dish and infused it with the exciting, zesty flavors of buffalo chicken, creating a meal that’s both familiar and thrilling. Here’s what makes this recipe truly stand out:
- Unbelievably Cheesy and Creamy: Our homemade cheese sauce is the heart of this dish. Crafted with a perfect blend of mozzarella and cheddar, it achieves a luxurious, tangy, and deeply savory profile that clings to every noodle. The secret lies in a well-made roux and careful melting of the cheeses, ensuring a velvety smooth texture that’s impossible to resist. This isn’t just cheese; it’s a rich, comforting blanket of flavor that will have you coming back for seconds.
- Effortlessly Simple to Prepare: Despite its gourmet taste, this buffalo chicken mac and cheese is surprisingly easy to whip up. You’ll start by cooking your preferred pasta to al dente perfection. While the pasta simmers, you’ll prepare our quick and easy cheese sauce, incorporating a few essential ingredients to build its incredible depth. Then, simply fold in pre-cooked shredded chicken and your favorite buffalo sauce, combine everything, and bake until golden and bubbly. In just a few straightforward steps, you’ll have a complete, satisfying, and utterly delicious meal on the table, perfect for any night of the week.
- A Certified Crowd-Pleaser: There’s something universally appealing about macaroni and cheese, and when you add the vibrant flavors of buffalo chicken, it becomes an instant hit. This dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, game day gatherings, or any occasion where you want to impress without stress. Its irresistible combination of creamy pasta, spicy chicken, and gooey cheese ensures that everyone, from kids to adults, will be asking for the recipe. Prepare for rave reviews and empty casserole dishes!
Essential Ingredients for Unforgettable Flavor
Crafting the perfect Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese starts with selecting quality ingredients that work in harmony to deliver that signature taste. Here are the key components that make this dish truly special:
Whole Milk: The foundation of our luscious cheese sauce is whole milk. Its higher fat content is crucial for creating an exceptionally rich, decadent, and comforting sauce that perfectly coats the pasta. While 1% or 2% milk can be used, whole milk truly provides an unparalleled depth of flavor and creaminess that elevates the entire dish. Using room temperature milk is also a chef’s secret for preventing lumps and achieving a smooth sauce.
Buffalo Sauce: This is where the “buffalo” in buffalo chicken mac and cheese comes from! The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability to your preferred spice level. If you’re a heat-seeker, opt for a medium to spicy buffalo sauce to give it an exciting kick. For a milder, more universally appealing dish, a mild buffalo sauce works wonderfully, providing all the classic flavor without overwhelming heat. There are numerous excellent brands available, so choose your favorite and adjust to your taste. A good buffalo sauce offers a balance of heat, tang, and savory notes that perfectly complements the rich cheese.
Shredded Chicken: Pre-cooked, shredded chicken is a fantastic shortcut that makes this recipe incredibly quick and easy. You can prepare your own using various methods – boiling, baking, or even using an Instant Pot for tender, shreddable chicken breasts or thighs. A personal favorite time-saver is using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store – it’s already seasoned and fall-apart tender, ready to be shredded in minutes. Consider prepping a larger batch of shredded chicken and freezing portions for future meals, making subsequent mac and cheese dinners even faster.
Pasta: Elbow pasta is the classic choice for mac and cheese, as its small, curved shape is perfect for holding the creamy sauce. However, feel free to experiment with other short pasta shapes like cavatappi, shells, or rotini. Cook your pasta al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly in the oven and you want it to retain a pleasant chewiness.
Cheese Blend (Mozzarella & Cheddar): Our combination of sharp cheddar and gooey mozzarella cheese creates the ideal balance of flavor and texture. Cheddar brings that signature tangy, savory depth, while mozzarella ensures an incredible melt and stretch. Using freshly shredded cheese, rather than pre-shredded, will melt more smoothly and contribute to a creamier sauce. Ensure both cheeses are at room temperature for optimal melting.
Butter and All-Purpose Flour: These two ingredients are essential for creating the roux, which is the thickening agent for our rich cheese sauce. A properly cooked roux provides a smooth, stable base that prevents the sauce from becoming thin or grainy.
Celery Stalks: Finely chopped celery adds a delightful, refreshing crunch and a subtle earthy note that balances the richness of the cheese and the spice of the buffalo sauce. It’s a classic pairing with buffalo chicken and provides a welcome textural contrast.
Crumbled Blue Cheese (Optional, but Recommended!): For an authentic buffalo flavor experience, a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese on top is highly recommended. Its pungent, creamy notes perfectly complement the buffalo sauce and the cheesy pasta, adding another layer of complexity that enthusiasts will adore.
Chef’s Tips for Perfection
Transform your Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese from great to absolutely extraordinary with these expert tips and tricks. These small adjustments can make a big difference in flavor, texture, and overall enjoyment.
- Achieve a Golden, Bubbly Top: If, after the initial baking time, your mac and cheese isn’t as golden-brown and bubbly on top as you’d like, don’t fret! Simply switch your oven to a high broil setting. Place the baking dish back into the oven for just 1-2 minutes. Keep a very close eye on it, as broilers can brown (and burn!) quickly. This quick burst of heat will create a beautiful, crispy crust that adds another fantastic textural dimension.
- Customize Your Cheese Blend: While mozzarella and cheddar offer a fantastic balance of melt and flavor, feel free to get creative with your cheese selection! Monterey Jack can add a milder, meltier quality, while a smoky gouda would introduce a delightful complexity. For a sharper, more intense cheese flavor, you could use all sharp cheddar. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect cheesy harmony. Just ensure you use cheeses that melt well.
- Elevate with Creative Toppings: The fun doesn’t stop once the mac and cheese is out of the oven! Drizzle an extra touch of buffalo sauce over individual servings for an added punch of flavor. A swirl of cool, creamy ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing offers a delicious contrast to the spice. For extra crunch and freshness, consider garnishing with chopped green onions, crispy fried onions, or even a sprinkle of bacon bits. These toppings not only enhance the flavor but also add visual appeal.
- Perfecting the Roux: A smooth, lump-free cheese sauce starts with a well-made roux. After melting the butter, whisk in the flour constantly for 1-2 minutes. This cooks out the raw flour taste and creates a light blonde roux. This step is crucial for the sauce’s flavor and texture.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For the creamiest cheese sauce, ensure your milk and shredded cheeses are at room temperature before adding them to the roux. Cold ingredients can cause the sauce to seize or become lumpy.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook your elbow pasta to al dente (firm to the bite) as per package instructions. The pasta will continue to cook and absorb some of the sauce while baking in the oven. Overcooked pasta will result in a mushy texture.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftovers of this buffalo chicken mac and cheese are fantastic! Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to a single serving and microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally. For larger portions, cover with foil and reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until bubbly and heated through.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
While Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a hearty and satisfying meal on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a few complementary sides to round out your dinner.
- Crisp Green Salad: A simple, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the mac and cheese. The freshness of the greens cuts through the creaminess and spice beautifully.
- Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw offers another textural and flavor contrast, with its tangy dressing and crunchy cabbage. It’s a classic accompaniment to buffalo chicken flavors.
- Steamed Vegetables: For a lighter side, serve with steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus. These add essential nutrients and a subtle flavor that won’t compete with the main dish.
- Cornbread: Fluffy cornbread, perhaps with a touch of honey, can be a delightful addition, perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.
More Cheesy Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of cheesy, comforting dishes, explore these other delicious recipes from our collection. From savory bites to creamy casseroles, there’s something to satisfy every cheese lover!
- Cream Cheese Fat Bombs
- Keto Grilled Cheese
- Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
- Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
- Keto Cheese Sauce
- Whipped Cottage Cheese (Sweet or Savory)
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For more delicious recipes, visit our sister sites, 40 Aprons and Easy Cheap Recipes.
5 from 4 votes
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
10
30
40
Cheryl Malik
8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow pasta, uncooked
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk, at room temperature
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, at room temperature
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 2 cups chicken, fully cooked and shredded
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
Equipment
- medium pot
- Large pot
- 9×13 baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit (175°C). In a medium pot or saucepan, cook the elbow pasta according to package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a smooth roux. This paste will be the thickening base for your cheese sauce.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Gradually pour in the room temperature whole milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Return the pot to medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Continue to simmer, whisking occasionally, until the sauce has visibly thickened to your desired consistency.
- Take the pot off the heat once more. Whisk in the shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and buffalo sauce until fully incorporated. Return the pot to low heat and continue to whisk gently until all the cheese has melted into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Remove the cheese sauce from the heat. Gently fold in the shredded chicken, the cooked pasta, and the chopped celery until everything is evenly coated. Transfer this flavorful mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- If using, sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese evenly over the top of the mac and cheese. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the sauce is bubbling. Serve warm and enjoy your deliciously spicy and cheesy comfort food!
Notes
- Make it Gluten-Free: To adapt this recipe for a gluten-free diet, simply replace the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of rice flour or cassava flour for the roux. Additionally, use one pound of your favorite gluten-free elbow pasta. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Adjusting Spice: For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce directly into the cheese sauce. For a milder version, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or choose a very mild variety.
- Advance Preparation: The shredded chicken can be cooked and prepared a day or two in advance. The cheese sauce can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator; gently reheat and thin with a splash of milk before combining with pasta and chicken.
Nutrition Information
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Cheryl Malik