Description
A spicy and creamy twist on classic mac and cheese, Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese combines tender rotini pasta with juicy buffalo-sauced chicken and a rich cheese sauce, all topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked, diced boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
Toppings & Garnish
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season diced boneless, skinless chicken breast with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium heat and sauté the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Create Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour to form a roux and cook for about 1-2 minutes until slightly golden. Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring the mixture stays smooth. Add cream cheese, stirring until completely melted and creamy. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese and buffalo sauce until well combined and smooth.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl or pot, combine the cooked pasta, cheesy buffalo sauce, and sautéed chicken. Mix well to ensure the pasta and chicken are thoroughly coated with the sauce.
- Add Toppings: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs over the top for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for 20-25 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly throughout.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the spicy, cheesy goodness.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of buffalo sauce or choosing a mild/medium/hot variety.
- For a creamier texture, add a little more cream cheese or milk to the cheese sauce.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For added flavor, consider mixing some blue cheese crumbles into the cheese sauce or as a topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Buffalo chicken, mac and cheese, spicy pasta, buffalo sauce, comfort food, baked macaroni
