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4.8 from 522 votes

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

My creamy buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese is topped off with a buttery toasted panko for next-level flavor. It's quick to make in just over 30 minutes! Recipe includes a how-to video!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 458 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 8 oz dry macaroni noodles (I used Cellentani noodles)
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 Tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1 ½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese I use low-moisture part skim
  • 1 cup sharp shredded cheddar cheese
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup Buffalo hot sauce
  • 1 ½ cups shredded chicken
For Panko Topping:
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • ½ Tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup seasoned panko crumbs

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a 1.5qt round baking dish or 9x9 square baking dish with butter.
  2. Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions.
  3. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once it has melted, add flour and stir until smooth.
  4. Add milk and spices, stir well and bring to a boil.
  5. Once mixture begins to boil, reduce heat, bring to a simmer, and stir frequently until it is slightly thickened.
  6. Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Stir until cheeses are melted and mixture is smooth.
  7. Add hot sauce and stir.
  8. Add shredded chicken and cooked, drained pasta noodles and stir until well coated by the sauce.
  9. Pour into prepared baking dish and prepare your Panko topping.
Panko Topping
  1. Combine butter and olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat, stirring occasionally, until melted.
  2. Add panko and stir well until the butter and oil has been mostly absorbed. Continue to stir until panko is lightly toasted and turns a light-medium brown color
  3. Use a spoon to sprinkle over prepared buffalo chicken mac and cheese
  4. Transfer to oven and bake on 350F (175C) for 15 minutes.
  5. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 458kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 31g (10%) Protein 22g (44%) Fat 27g (42%) Saturated Fat 15g (75%) Cholesterol 93mg (31%) Sodium 1003mg (42%) Potassium 274mg (8%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 818IU (16%) Calcium 318mg (32%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 458

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 458kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 31g 10%
Protein 22g 44%
Fat 27g 42%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 93mg 31%
Sodium 1003mg 42%
Potassium 274mg 6%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 818IU 16%
Calcium 318mg 32%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.