High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5
High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Description
High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese blends cooked pasta with ground chicken infused with ranch seasoning and a creamy buffalo cheese sauce made by blending cottage cheese, milk, hot sauce, garlic, and onion powder. After combining these components in an oven-safe skillet and topping with shredded cheddar, it is baked at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt into a golden topping. The result is a rich, creamy mac and cheese with the tangy heat from the buffalo sauce and the familiar savory notes of ranch seasoning.
The combination of ground chicken adds substantial protein to this dish, making it more filling than traditional versions. The cottage cheese-based sauce creates a smooth, slightly tangy base that balances the hot sauce’s heat while keeping the cheese sauce lighter. Baking finalizes the dish with a melted, bubbly layer of cheddar cheese, bringing familiar comfort and an appealing texture contrast.
Serve this mac and cheese as a main meal for a casual dinner with simple sides or add a fresh salad to lighten the plate. It works well for those who want a twist on classic mac and cheese with added protein and a spicy buffalo tang.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- ½ tbsp neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 tbsp ranch seasoning powder
- 16 oz cottage cheese ~ 2 cups
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup hot sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Cook pasta in heavily salted boiling water according to package instructions.
- Heat oil in a large oven safe skillet over medium heat. Add ground chicken to the warm skillet to cook and break into crumbles as you brown. When its mostly cooked through season with ranch seasoning.
- While the pasta and chicken finish cooking, blend cottage cheese, milk, hot sauce, garlic powder and onion powder in a high speed blender or with an immersion blender.
- Drain cooked pasta and pour into the skillet along with the chicken and the buffalo cheese sauce. Mix it all together with a flat spatula and top with the shredded cheese
- Place in the oven to bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes. Garnish with green onions or chives and serve.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 479 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 479kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 109mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 1382mg | 58% |
| Potassium | 648mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 454IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 303mg | 30% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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