Description
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a creamy and flavorful dish made with tender pasta, tangy buffalo sauce, and juicy chicken pieces baked together until bubbly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast (pounded to even thickness)
- 1/3 cup blue cheese dressing
- 8 oz cavatappi pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese (finely shredded)
- 2 oz cream cheese (softened)
Instructions
- Place boneless, skinless chicken breast in a pot of water and boil for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked. While chicken cooks, gather and measure all remaining ingredients.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to rolling boil and cook cavatappi pasta according to package directions until al dente, removing about 2 minutes early.
- Remove cooked chicken from water, let cool slightly, then shred it. Combine shredded chicken with blue cheese dressing and set aside.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute. Gradually add heavy cream and milk in splashes, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
- Bring sauce to gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Stir in buffalo sauce, hot sauce, mustard powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Remove from heat and let cool for one minute. Add finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese and softened cream cheese, stirring continuously until both cheeses are completely melted and sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add shredded chicken mixed with blue cheese dressing and cooked cavatappi pasta to finished cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine, ensuring pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
- Serve immediately while hot and bubbly.
Notes
- Adjust buffalo sauce to taste for spiciness.
- Can substitute cavatappi with elbow macaroni.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Buffalo Chicken Mac Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Comfort Food