Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese: Creamy and Spicy
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese combines tender shredded chicken, cavatappi, cheddar, cream cheese, and buffalo sauce for a comforting 45-minute dinner.
Servings: 4
Adjust the serving amount to scale the ingredient list. Written quantities in the steps refer to the original recipe; adjust them in the same proportion. Timing may vary with batch size.
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/3 cup blue cheese dressing
- 8 oz cavatappi pasta or macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper each
- 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
Instructions
Instructions
- Measure the ingredients while the chicken cooks. Set the heavy cream, milk, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese near the stove so they are not refrigerator-cold.
- Submerge the chicken in a pot of water and gradually bring it to a gentle boil. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the chicken and use 2 forks to shred it. Toss with blue cheese dressing and set aside.
- Begin boiling salted water in a large pot while you start the sauce. Once a boil is reached, add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. (Don’t overcook.) Drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and stir to incorporate, you’ll be left with a thick paste.
- Add the heavy cream and milk in small splashes, stirring continuously. Doing this slowly ensures that the sauce stays thick.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Add the buffalo sauce, hot sauce, mustard powder, onion powder, and salt/pepper.
- Gradually sprinkle in the cheddar cheese and cream cheese, stirring continuously.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, then add the drained pasta. Use a silicone spatula to gently stir to combine. Serve!