4.9 from 48 votes
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
This buffalo chicken mac and cheese is crispy chicken tossed with pasta in a spicy and creamy cheese sauce, then garnished with chopped celery. A unique take on macaroni and cheese that's sure to be a total crowd pleaser!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 508 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 12 ounces frozen breaded chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 4 cups milk
- 16 ounces short pasta such as cavatappi or elbow macaroni
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ranch powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
- 2 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
Instructions
- Bake the chicken fingers according to package directions. Coarsely chop the chicken. Reserve 1/2 cup of chicken pieces for garnish.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the flour, then whisk until combined, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the water and whisk until smooth and just thickened.
- Add the milk and whisk until combined.
- Stir in the pasta, salt, ranch powder and smoked paprika, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is done.
- Turn the heat to low, then stir in the cheddar, Monterey Jack and cream cheeses, along with 1/3 cup of buffalo sauce. Keep stirring until the sauce is smooth. If you need to thin the sauce, add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in the diced chicken.
- Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of buffalo sauce over the mac and cheese. Add the reserved chopped chicken, celery and green onions on top, then serve.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
508kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
55g
(18%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
24g
(37%)
Saturated Fat
16g
(80%)
Cholesterol
103mg
(34%)
Sodium
780mg
(33%)
Potassium
376mg
(11%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
995IU
(20%)
Calcium
497mg
(50%)
Iron
1.7mg
(9%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 508
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 508kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Cholesterol | 103mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 780mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 376mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 995IU | 20% |
| Calcium | 497mg | 50% |
| Iron | 1.7mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.