Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5.0
60 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
10 mins
-
Total Time
45 mins
-
Servings
4 people
-
Calories
669 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
American
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Report
This Creamy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe has savory pasta smothered in a flavorful cheese sauce with juicy bites of chicken and hints of blue cheese.
Share:
Ingredients
- 1 boneless/skinless chicken breast see notes
- 1/3 cup blue cheese dressing
- 8 oz. cavatappi pasta or macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup buffalo sauce
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon EACH: Salt/Pepper
- 1 ¼ cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
Add to Shopping List
Instructions
- Pro Tip: Measure out ingredients while the chicken cooks. Place the heavy cream, milk, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese near the stove to bring them down closer to room temperature.
Gently Boil/Shred the Chicken:
- Submerge the chicken in a pot of water and gradually bring it to a gentle boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. (A gentle boil ensures the chicken stays juicy and doesn't get tough.)
- Remove the chicken and use 2 forks to shred it. Toss with blue cheese dressing and set aside.
- Pro Tip: Add 1-2 chicken bouillon cubes to the water to add more flavor to the chicken.
Cook the Pasta and Make the Sauce
- Begin boiling salted water in a large pot while you start the sauce. Once a boil is reached, add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. (Don’t overcook.) Drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and stir to incorporate, you’ll be left with a thick paste.
- Add the heavy cream and milk in small splashes, stirring continuously. Doing this slowly ensures that the sauce stays thick.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Add the buffalo sauce, hot sauce, mustard powder, onion powder, and salt/pepper.
- Gradually sprinkle in the cheddar cheese and cream cheese, stirring continuously.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, then add the drained pasta. Use a silicone spatula to gently stir to combine. Serve!
Notes
- For the Chicken: 1 boneless skinless chicken breast is about ½ lb. 1 cup leftover or rotisserie chicken may also be used, no need to boil it if it’s already cooked.
- Pro Tips:
- Shred the cheese from a block for this recipe, it will melt and taste much better than packaged shredded cheese. I use Cracker Barrel Sharp Yellow cheese for this recipe.
- Other Brands used include: Prince Cavatappi, Frank's Buffalo Sauce and Hot Sauce, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and Marie's Blue Cheese Dressing.
- Ranch dressing can be used instead of blue cheese in this recipe if preferred.
- The mustard powder and tomato paste are great flavor enhancers in this recipe and I highly recommend them.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
669kcal
(33%)
Carbohydrates
52g
(17%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
39g
(60%)
Saturated Fat
23g
(115%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
137mg
(46%)
Sodium
1237mg
(52%)
Potassium
460mg
(13%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1328IU
(27%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
393mg
(39%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 669 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 669kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 137mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 1237mg | 52% |
| Potassium | 460mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1328IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 393mg | 39% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
60 reviews
Excellent
Other Recipes
You'll Also Love
