Print

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Buffalo chicken mac and cheese on a plate with some parsley and grape tomatoes.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Buffalo mac and cheese is a great way to gussy up your favorite comfort food and make it a hearty meal!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta

  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni

For the Chicken

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/3 cup wing sauce (divided)
  • 2 1/2 to 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (a rotisserie chicken is ideal)

For the Cheese Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/4 cup wing sauce
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) mild cheddar cheese (or cheddar jack)
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) pepper jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Kosher salt to taste

For the Topping

  • 1 cup panko crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
  • 3 tablespoons melted salted butter
  • 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Following the package directions, cook the macaroni in boiling salted water to al dente. Drain and set aside.
    Drained macaroni for buffalo chicken mac and cheese.
    Credit: Diana Rattray
  2. Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the vegetables are softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the chicken and 1/3 cup of wing sauce. Remove from the heat and set aside.
    Chicken and vegetables in a skillet for buffalo chicken mac and cheese.
    Credit: Diana Rattray
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk and 1/4 cup of wing sauce and cook while stirring until thickened. Add cheese and season with the pepper; add salt to taste. Stir until well blended and the cheese is melted.
    Cheese sauce for buffalo chicken mac and cheese.
    Credit: Diana Rattray
  4. Stir the drained macaroni and chicken mixture into the cheese sauce and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
    Combining the cheese sauce, chicken mixture, and macaroni for the buffalo chicken mac and cheese.
    Credit: Diana Rattray
  5. Combine the panko crumbs, chopped parsley, and 3 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the macaroni mixture.
    Buttered crumbs for buffalo chicken mac and cheese.
    Credit: Diana Rattray
  6. Sprinkle blue cheese or Parmesan over the crumbs.
    A baking dish with buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese.
    Credit: Diana Rattray
  7. Bake the casserole for 25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
    Buffalo chicken mac and cheese on a plate with some parsley and grape tomatoes.
    Credit: Diana Rattray

Find it online: https://classic-recipes.com/buffalo-chicken-mac-and-cheese/