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Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese: Comfort in Every Cheesy Bite

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese combines creamy cheese with zesty buffalo chicken, creating a beloved comfort food staple.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces rotini pasta or elbow macaroni
For the Chicken
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken or shredded beef/tofu
For the Cheese Sauce
  • ½ cup buffalo sauce mild if desired
  • 4 tablespoons cream cheese or Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese sharp or Monterey Jack/pepper jack
  • ½ cup mozzarella cheese low-moisture or vegan
  • 2 cups milk non-dairy milk as vegan option
For Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • to taste teaspoon salt
  • to taste teaspoon pepper
For the Crunchy Topping
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
For Garnish
  • to taste green onions or blue cheese

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Medium skillet
  • Large saucepan
  • Baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta but do not rinse.
  2. Prepare the chicken by heating oil in a medium skillet. Add diced chicken and sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
  3. Create the cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in flour, then adding milk gradually before mixing in the cheeses and buffalo sauce.
  4. Combine everything by pouring the cooked pasta and sautéed chicken into the cheese sauce and mixing well.
  5. Add toppings by transferring the mixture into a greased baking dish, sprinkling panko breadcrumbs on top.
  6. Bake the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 32gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 590mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 350mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This dish is meal prep-friendly and customizable with various proteins and toppings for different preferences.

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