Description
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is creamy, spicy, and baked with a crispy topping. A comforting dinner perfect for weeknights or game nights.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
2 cups cooked, diced boneless skinless chicken breast
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 oz cream cheese
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
2. Sauté diced chicken in a skillet with salt and pepper over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
3. In a separate saucepan, melt butter, stir in flour to form a roux, then gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
4. Add cream cheese and stir until melted, then add shredded cheddar and buffalo sauce, mixing until creamy.
5. Combine the cooked pasta and chicken with the cheese sauce, mixing until evenly coated.
6. Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish and top with panko breadcrumbs.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
8. Garnish with sliced green onions and drizzle extra buffalo sauce if desired.
Notes
Marinate chicken in buffalo sauce overnight for more flavor.
Reserve a bit of cheese to sprinkle on top before baking for extra meltiness.
Let the cheese sauce thicken slowly for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Chicken Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg