Mac and cheese is one of my favourites; pure comfort food in a bowl; it gets even better with the flavours of buffalo chicken! This is a pretty basic mac and cheese recipe, with a cheese sauce made from butter, flour, milk and plenty of cheese, along with the macaroni (or other pasta). This buffalo chicken version starts out by cooking chicken before making the cheese sauce and then mixing hot sauce in at the end! Since buffalo chicken is often served with a side of carrot and celery sticks, I include them in diced form, along with an onion for good measure! Buffalo wings are often served with a blue cheese or ranch dipping sauce and there are some options to include these flavours if desired. This buffalo chicken mac and cheese is super easy to make and takes less than 30 minutes to make, so it’s perfect for any night, including busy week nights!
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Creamy mac and cheese with buffalo chicken sauce!
ingredients
- 1 pound pasta (gluten-free for gluten-free)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup carrot, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour (rice flour for gluten-free)
- 2 cups milk (or broth)
- 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce (or to taste)*
- 2 cups sharp/old/aged cheddar cheese, shredded
directions
- Start cooking the pasta as directed on the package.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the chicken and cook until cooked through, before setting aside.
- Add the onions, carrot, and celery, and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic, paprika, and mustard, and sprinkle in the flour before mixing and cooking for 2 minutes.
- Add the milk and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the cheese and let it melt before mixing in the hot sauce.
- Mix in the chicken and cooked (and drained) pasta and enjoy!
Option: Use already cooked chicken to save some time!
Option: Add 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning!
Option: Add 1/4 cup blue cheese!
Option: Add 4 ounces of cream cheese!
Option: Add 1/2 cup sour cream!
Option: Top with more shredded cheese and broil to melt.
Option: Garnish with crumbled blue cheese.
Option: Garnish with cooked and crumbled bacon.
Option: Garnish with chopped parsley and/or cilantro.
Option: Garnish with thinly sliced green onions.
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Hi Kevin, I hope you’re well.
This mac and cheese looks delicious but isn’t it too crowded in the saucepan?
Very good recipe, greetings from Athens Greece.
Great receipe of Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese, its really awesome in taste and easy to make.