Description
Irresistible Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a creamy, spicy delight that transforms classic mac and cheese into a flavor-packed comfort food favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, add a splash of oil. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook for about 6 minutes on each side until golden brown. Shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk and cream cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Gradually mix in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted. Stir in buffalo sauce to desired heat level.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and cheese sauce; mix well until all pasta is coated.
- Bake It Up: Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs for added crunch. Bake for about 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 240g)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 810mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg