Buffalo Chicken Mac N Cheese
Dive into a mouthwatering fusion of comfort and spice with this Buffalo Chicken Mac N Cheese recipe! Perfectly al dente elbow macaroni is enveloped in a luxurious trio of melty cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, creating a luscious, creamy sauce. Tender, shredded chicken is tossed in tangy buffalo sauce, adding a bold kick of flavor, while a crispy breadcrumb topping provides the perfect golden crunch. Baked to perfection and optionally garnished with ranch dressing and fresh green onions, this irresistible dish is a crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or game-day feasts. Indulge in this ultimate comfort food that combines the best of creamy mac and cheese with the zesty heat of buffalo chicken!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz Elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups Cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 cup Buffalo sauce
- 0.25 cup Ranch dressing (optional, for drizzling)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Green onions, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.
Lower the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.
In a medium bowl, toss the shredded chicken with the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
Fold the buffalo chicken and cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is well combined.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Optionally, drizzle with ranch dressing and garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1052 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 57.7 g | 74% | |
| Saturated Fat | 30.7 g | 154% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 207 mg | 69% | |
| Sodium | 2500 mg | 109% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 74.5 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.3 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g | ||
| Protein | 59.6 g | 119% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.9 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 729 mg | 56% | |
| Iron | 4.7 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 581 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
