5.0 from 33 votes
Easy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
This Buffalo chicken mac and cheese recipe is so rich and creamy with shredded chicken tossed with melty cheese and tangy Buffalo sauce, so comforting! Every bite is packed with flavor.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 758 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry elbow macaroni noodles (or use your favorite noodles, like cavatapi)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1-2 Jalapeno peppers chopped (optional, for a spicier version)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (optional, for extra spicy)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups milk
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese (or use mozzarella)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or use Mexican crema)
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (or use cooked chopped chicken)
- For Serving: Crumbled blue cheese or blue cheese dressing, fresh chopped parsley, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare your macaroni noodles by boiling them in lightly salted water for 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the noodles are boiling, heat the butter in a large pot to medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to cook out the raw flour.
- Add the jalapeno peppers and cook for 3 minutes to soften up the peppers.
- Stir in the tomato paste and seasonings and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in the milk (be careful of splatter). Bring to a boil, the reduce heat to simmer. Stir until smooth.
- Stir in the cream cheese until melted through.
- Stir in the shredded cheeses a bit at a time until melted through and the sauce is nice and creamy.
- Stir in the buffalo sauce, shredded chicken, sour cream, and noodles until well combines. Serve!
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
758kcal
(38%)
Carbohydrates
58g
(19%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
48g
(74%)
Saturated Fat
28g
(140%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
Trans Fat
0.3g
Cholesterol
136mg
(45%)
Sodium
2502mg
(104%)
Potassium
455mg
(13%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
10g
(20%)
Vitamin A
2646IU
(53%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
629mg
(63%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 758
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 758kcal | 38% |
| Carbohydrates | 58g | 19% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 48g | 74% |
| Saturated Fat | 28g | 140% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 136mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 2502mg | 104% |
| Potassium | 455mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 2646IU | 53% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 629mg | 63% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.