Easy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
This easy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe is a one-pot meal with tender bites of chicken and macaroni pasta in a slightly spicy cheese sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or game day snack!
Servings: 8
Cost: $10
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 pound boneless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ⅓ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ cup Buffalo Sauce divided
- 4 cups water
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese cubed, at room temperature
- 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup shredded Colby Jack Cheese
- 4 oz American Cheese about 4 slices
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons butter on medium heat
- Add chicken and ¼ cup Buffalo sauce. Season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium high heat
- Turn off heat, and remove chicken to a clean plate or bowl, and cover with aluminum foil
- In the same pot, add water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat
- Add the macaroni, and cook until just before al dente, about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Reduce heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream and remaining 1/4 cup Buffalo sauce. Allow to simmer on medium heat until pasta is done, about 3 minutes more
- Add the remaining tablespoon butter and cream cheese, and stir until melted
- Reduce heat to low or medium low, and stir in 1 cup of cheese at a time until cheese melts and cheese sauce is creamy
- Stir the chicken back into the cooked pasta until well blended with the creamy sauce
Video
Notes
For best results, shred your own cheese.
I use sliced American cheese from the deli, which is about 4 slices or 4 ounces. You can use all cheddar, if you prefer.
You can sub broth for the water, but there is a lot of flavor from the addition of the Buffalo sauce.
Add additional Buffalo sauce for more heat.
I like to let the cream sit out at room temperature while I prep the ingredients so it's not to cold going into the sauce. This prevents the sauce from becoming grainy.
Nutrition
Calories: 632kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 1185mg | Potassium: 252mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1361IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 500mg | Iron: 1mg
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