Best 6 Buffalo Chicken Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a tantalizing culinary creation that masterfully blends the bold flavors of buffalo chicken with the comforting embrace of mac and cheese. This sensational dish, sure to ignite taste buds and satisfy cravings, elevates classic mac and cheese to new heights of deliciousness. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey where creamy, cheesy goodness meets the tangy heat of buffalo sauce, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors. Dive into this delectable recipe that promises an unforgettable dining experience, whether you're hosting a casual gathering or treating yourself to a soul-satisfying meal.

Discover variations of this irresistible dish that cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs. Explore a rendition featuring crispy oven-baked chicken, smothered in a luscious buffalo sauce, nestled atop a bed of creamy mac and cheese. Craving a healthier option? Delight in a delightful skillet version, where succulent chicken and a medley of vegetables mingle harmoniously in a vibrant buffalo sauce, complemented by perfectly cooked macaroni and a blanket of melted cheese. For those with gluten sensitivities, rejoice in a gluten-free alternative that swaps traditional pasta for hearty, gluten-free noodles, ensuring everyone can savor this irresistible creation.

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a trio of exceptional buffalo chicken mac and cheese recipes. Each variation offers a unique twist on this beloved dish, promising an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more. Whether you prefer the classic baked version, the healthier skillet rendition, or the gluten-free delight, these recipes provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to guide you towards culinary success. So, gather your ingredients, don your apron, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

BUFFALO MAC 'N' CHEESE



Buffalo Mac 'n' Cheese image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the casserole dish
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups half-and-half
4 cups shredded Cheddar
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 1/3 cups hot sauce
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 scallions, sliced on the bias

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni until al dente, about 7 minutes; strain and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a large oval casserole dish.
  • Cook 2 tablespoons of the butter, the onions, celery and a pinch of salt in a large saute pan over medium heat until the onions and celery are soft but not brown, about 7 minutes.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the half-and-half, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the Cheddar, Monterey Jack and blue cheese until melted. Stir in the onion mixture, macaroni and hot sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
  • Pour the macaroni mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, pour into a small bowl and mix with the panko; sprinkle on top of the mac 'n' cheese. Bake until bubbly and brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Garnish with the scallions.

BAKED BUFFALO CHICKEN MAC AND CHEESE



Baked Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese image

My family's favorite comfort food!

Provided by tamara

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Chicken

Time 45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

cooking spray
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (12 fluid ounce) bottle Buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank's®)
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
1 rotisserie chicken, meat removed and chopped
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup panko bread crumbs
¼ cup melted butter

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Stir sour cream and cream cheese together in a bowl until smooth; add evaporated milk. Stir Buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing into sour cream mixture; mix in shredded chicken, macaroni, and 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese. Pour macaroni mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese; drizzle melted butter over the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and golden, 20 to 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 916.6 calories, Carbohydrate 67.1 g, Cholesterol 179.5 mg, Fat 53.3 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 44.7 g, SaturatedFat 28.5 g, Sodium 1729.5 mg, Sugar 6.5 g

BUFFALO CHICKEN MACARONI AND CHEESE



Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h50m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

3/4 pound applewood smoked bacon
1 pound chicken tenderloins
1/2 cup beer
1 pound dry elbow macaroni
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons, plus more for baking dish
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/3 cup all-purpose flour, plus 1 cup
3 cups whole milk, plus 2 tablespoons
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cups grated white Cheddar, divided
3 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2/3 cup hot sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot)
1 cup panko bread crumbs
Sliced carrots and celery, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat bottom and sides of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with butter.
  • Arrange the bacon on an aluminum foil lined sheet pan and bake until crisp, about 22 minutes. Allow to cool and coarsely chop.
  • Put the chicken and beer in a large bowl and let marinate, at room temperature, for 20 minutes.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Add the macaroni and cook stirring occasionally, until cooked al dente, about 6 to 7 minutes. Drain and reserve in a large pot or mixing bowl.
  • Melt 1/2 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; whisk in the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden. Whisk in 1/3 cup flour and cook until golden, about 1 minute. Whisk in 3 cups milk, the salt and the pepper, and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Add 2 cups of the Cheddar and 2 cups of the mozzarella (reserving additional cheese for topping) and stir until melted, about 2 minutes.
  • Stir the cheese sauce, blue cheese and bacon into the macaroni until well combined; pour evenly into the prepared baking dish and smooth the surface.
  • Put the remaining 1 cup of flour in a medium-sized shallow mixing bowl. In another medium-sized shallow mixing bowl, add the remaining 2 tablespoons milk and the egg and whisk until combined. Drain the beer from the chicken tenderloins and dip into the flour to coat well, then dip into the egg mixture and back into the flour. Put on a plate until ready to fry.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Working in 2 batches, fry the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Remove to paper towels to drain. Add the chicken and hot sauce to a large bowl and toss until well coated. Carefully slice the chicken into bite-sized strips. (Avoid knocking off the batter).
  • Evenly top the macaroni with the sliced chicken, and drizzle with additional hot sauce, if desired. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of white Cheddar and the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the chicken and sprinkle with the panko bread crumbs. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and drizzle it evenly over the bread crumbs. Bake at 400 degrees F until golden brown and bubbly, about 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Cool 10 minutes before serving. Serve with celery and carrot sticks, if desired.

BUFFALO-CHICKEN MACARONI AND CHEESE



Buffalo-Chicken Macaroni and Cheese image

Get the flavors of Buffalo chicken-without the wings-in this outrageously good mac and cheese.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup hot sauce (preferably Frank's)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons dry mustard
2 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 pound yellow sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 1/2 cups)
8 ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
2/3 cup sour cream
1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken and garlic and cook 2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup hot sauce and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 more minute.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and mustard with a wooden spoon until smooth. Whisk in the half-and-half, then add the remaining 1/4 cup hot sauce and stir until thick, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, then whisk in the sour cream until smooth.
  • Spread half of the macaroni in the prepared baking dish, then top with the chicken mixture and the remaining macaroni. Pour the cheese sauce evenly on top.
  • Put the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted. Stir in the panko, blue cheese and parsley. Sprinkle over the macaroni and bake until bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

BUFFALO CHICKEN MAC-N-CHEESE



Buffalo Chicken Mac-N-Cheese image

Buffalo chicken meets mac-n-cheese. How can you possibly go wrong? I threw this together for the end-of-the-year potluck lunch at the high school where I teach, and it went over really well. Addendum: Like the first two reviewers, I also used Ken's. Worked great! However, I have to disagree with one reviewer about the celery. I've made this with and without the celery, and its inclusion really makes a world of difference in terms of texture.

Provided by Cluich

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb elbow macaroni, uncooked (preferrably the large variety)
24 ounces chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
2 1/2 cups low-fat milk
1/4 cup flour
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
8 ounces buffalo wing sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup celery, chopped
hot sauce, to taste (optional)

Steps:

  • Cook the macaroni in a pot of boiling salted water.
  • While the pasta is cooking, whisk the milk and flour together in a bowl, then pour into a saucepan, bringing it to a boil, stirring constantly.
  • Reduce heat to medium and stir in chicken, cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, buffalo sauce and hot sauce (if you're using it). Cook until the cheese melts.
  • When the pasta is done, drain it and stir in the cheese mixture and the celery.

BUFFALO MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



Buffalo Mac 'N' Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: nonstick cooking spray, unsalted butter, all purpose flour, whole milk, shredded mild cheddar cheese, kosher salt, macaroni, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, shredded rotisserie chicken, Frank's® RedHot® Buffalo Wings Sauce, celery, ranch dressing, crumbled blue cheese, red onion, scallion

Provided by Frank's RedHot

Categories     Dinner

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk
2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 ½ cups macaroni, cooked for 2 minutes less than the package instructs
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
½ cup Frank's® RedHot® Buffalo Wings Sauce, plus more for serving
2 stalks celery
2 tablespoons ranch dressing
⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese
¼ cup red onion, finely diced
¼ cup scallion, sliced, green part only

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with nonstick spray.
  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently to break up any clumps, for 5 minutes, or until the roux is light golden brown. Reduce the heat to medium, then slowly pour in the milk and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 8 minutes. Do not let the mixture come to a boil.
  • Remove the pot from the heat, add the mild cheddar cheese, and whisk until melted and smooth. Stir in the salt. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and toss to coat well.
  • Transfer half of the mac and cheese mixture to the prepared skillet. Top with 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, then the remaining mac and cheese and remaining cup of sharp cheddar.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the shredded rotisserie chicken and Frank's® RedHot® Buffalo Wings Sauce. Spoon on top of the mac and cheese.
  • Bake the mac and cheese for 30-35 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling around the edges of the pan. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 5 minutes.
  • While the mac and cheese bakes, make the celery ribbons: Using a vegetable peeler, peel the backs of the celery stalks lengthwise into ribbons. Transfer the ribbons to a large bowl filled with ice water and let sit for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
  • Drizzle the mac and cheese with more Frank's® RedHot® Buffalo Wings Sauce and the ranch dressing, then top with the crumbled blue cheese, red onion, scallions, and celery ribbons.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1068 calories, Carbohydrate 92 grams, Fat 47 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 65 grams, Sugar 7 grams

Tips:

  • Use a high-quality macaroni and cheese. This will make a big difference in the final dish. Look for a brand that uses real cheese and has a creamy texture.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it just until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
  • Use a flavorful cheese sauce. The cheese sauce is what really makes this dish special. Be sure to use a cheese that melts well and has a lot of flavor. A good option is a sharp cheddar cheese.
  • Add plenty of buffalo chicken. The buffalo chicken is the star of this dish, so don't be afraid to add a lot of it. You can use leftover buffalo chicken, or you can make your own. If you are making your own, be sure to cook the chicken until it is cooked through.
  • Top with your favorite toppings. Once the buffalo chicken mac and cheese is baked, you can top it with your favorite toppings. Some good options include crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, or a dollop of sour cream.

Conclusion:

Buffalo chicken mac and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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