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Home » Meal Ideas » Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Meal Ideas

10 Apr

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese is a satisfying family friendly pasta bake that features shredded chicken, crisp celery, and a cheesy sauce with just the right amount of spice!

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese is a pasta bake that my family loves! It is a great use for leftover shredded chicken and can be made ahead of time, two great things for a busy family.

This baked dish brings the flavor of buffalo chicken in every bite. With the crunch of celery, cheesy sauce and tender pasta, it is a very hearty and satisfying dinner. It makes enough to feed a crowd and leftovers taste even better the second day!

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Close up picture of finished Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

VIDEO : Making Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese


How to Make Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

There are so many things that I love about this dinner. Filling, delicious and flavorful, this can be made the day of or as a make ahead meal, this can be put together whenever and then refrigerated or frozen for another time. Just as good as if you made it the same day!

Picture of bag of precooked pasta beside boiling water for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions, usually between 7-11 minutes.  Any short pasta will work for this dish!

Drain and set aside for now.

Picture of chopped onion and celery in a skillet with melted butter for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

While the pasta is cooking, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a deep skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion and celery and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. 

Picture of shredded chicken, cooked onions and celery and garlic in a skillet for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Stir in the chicken and garlic and cook 2 minutes. 

Picture of shredded chicken, onions, celery and hot sauce in a skillet for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Add 1/4 cup hot wing sauce and stir until well combined. 

Picture of combined chicken mixture in a skillet for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Remove from heat and set aside.

Picture of melted butter, flour and mustard powder in a saucepan prior to mixing for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add flour and dry mustard powder.

Picture of flour, butter and mustard powder paste in a saucepan post mix for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Stir in the flour and dry mustard powder to make a paste.

Picture of half and half being added to paste in a saucepan for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Slowly whisk in the half and half, keeping the mixture smooth.

Picture of hot sauce being added to paste and half and half mixture for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Add the remaining 1/4 cup hot sauce stirring until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.

Picture of shredded cheese being added to mixture for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Stir in the shredded cheese until melted.

Picture of sour cream being whisked into cheese sauce mixture for Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Whisk in the sour cream until smooth.  Remove from heat.

Picture of assembled Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese in 9x13 pan prior to baking

Assemble the pasta bake by spreading half of the pasta in a 9×13 baking dish.  Top with the chicken mixture and then cover with the remaining pasta.  Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top.

Close up picture of Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese with panko and parsley prior to baking

Sprinkle with Panko and parsley and place into preheated oven. 

Picture of baking pan of Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese after baking

Bake 30 to 40 minutes. Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Finished picture of Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese plated and ready to eat

Other Easy Dinner Ideas You May Like

Bruschetta Chicken Bake – all the flavors of fresh Bruschetta with hearty stuffing and perfectly sized melty mozzarella chicken bites!

Spaghetti Pie – With Italian sausage and spinach hidden inside this is an unexpectedly good (and super easy!) weeknight creation that the entire family will love.

Keto Eggroll Bowl – all the delicious flavors of an egg roll come together in this super easy one pan meal!

Creamy Chicken & Asparagus Skillet – Tender and juicy chicken thighs, crisp asparagus pieces and a flavorful cream sauce come together in just one skillet in about 30 minutes.

Weeknight Pineapple Shrimp and Rice Bake – easy and delicious family weeknight meal!


Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese is a satisfying family friendly pasta bake that features shredded chicken, crisp celery, and a cheesy sauce with just the right amount of spice!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 690kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked macaroni or any style short pasta
  • 5 tbsp butter divided
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2-3 ribs celery about 1 cup, chopped
  • 3 cups cooked chicken shredded or chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup Buffalo Wing Sauce divided
  • 2 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp dry mustard powder
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, mozzarella or cheddar jack
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup Panko or regular breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley or 1/2 tbsp dried
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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions, usually between 7-11 minutes.  Drain.
  • While the pasta is cooking, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a deep skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion and celery and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. 
  • Stir in the chicken and garlic and cook 2 minutes.  Add 1/4 cup hot wing sauce and stir until well combined.  Remove from heat and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.  Stir in the flour and dry mustard powder to make a paste.
  • Slowly whisk in the half and half then add the remaining 1/4 cup hot sauce stirring until thickened, about 2-3 minutes. 
  • Add the shredded cheese and stir in until melted then whisk in the sour cream until smooth.  Remove from heat.
  • Spread half of the pasta in a 9×13 baking dish.  Top with the chicken mixture and then cover with the remaining pasta.  Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top.
  • Sprinkle with Panko and parsley and place into preheated oven.  Bake 30 to 40 minutes.  Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!

Notes

This is a great meal to make ahead of time. Complete the steps up to the paint of baking it and instead cover with foil and either refrigerate or freeze. When ready to eat, thaw (if frozen), leave covered and cook at 375 degrees F for about an 45 minutes and then uncover and cook for another 15 minutes. Edges should be bubbly and the mac & cheese should be heated all the way through.

Nutrition *

Calories: 690kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 1118mg | Potassium: 516mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1150IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 347mg | Iron: 2mg
* The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Have you tried this recipe? Post a pic and mention @TheRecipeBandit or tag #therecipebandit!


  • Michelle Mundy

    As a busy working mom with kids on the go, I know how important it is to be able to make simple and delicious meals using everyday ingredients. The recipes shared here are family friendly with easy to understand step by step instructions. Tried and true, from our family to yours. Welcome to The Recipe Bandit! Click here to read more about me.

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About Me

  • Michelle Mundy

    As a busy working mom with kids on the go, I know how important it is to be able to make simple and delicious meals using everyday ingredients. The recipes shared here are family friendly with easy to understand step by step instructions. Tried and true, from our family to yours. Welcome to The Recipe Bandit! Click here to read more about me.

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