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Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese - featured image
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A quick and easy 5-ingredient homemade dinner combining creamy mac and cheese with spicy buffalo chicken for a cozy, hearty meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni pasta
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons flour (optional)
  • Blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions, about 7-8 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and set aside.
  2. If you don’t have pre-cooked chicken, boil or roast chicken breasts until cooked through (about 15-20 minutes boiling or 25-30 minutes roasting at 375°F). Let cool, then shred into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a bowl, combine 2 cups shredded chicken with 1/2 cup buffalo sauce. Mix well so every bite is coated. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
  4. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter (optional). Stir in 2 tablespoons flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, stirring constantly.
  5. Slowly whisk in 1 cup whole milk, making sure no lumps form. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Keep stirring until cheese melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. Add a splash more milk if sauce feels too thick.
  7. Add drained macaroni and buffalo chicken to the cheese sauce. Stir gently but thoroughly until pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
  8. Let everything cook together on low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  9. Serve hot, optionally topped with extra cheese or blue cheese crumbles.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness. Add cheese gradually and keep heat low to prevent sauce from separating. Toss chicken in buffalo sauce before mixing for best flavor. Adjust buffalo sauce amount to control spice level. For a baked version, top with cheese and breadcrumbs and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo chicken, mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, 5-ingredient recipe, spicy, cheesy

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/buffalo-chicken-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-5-ingredient-homemade-dinner/