Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Bake
This creamy, cheesy, and spicy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese combines tender chicken, sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and a kick of buffalo sauce. Baked to golden perfection with a crispy breadcrumb topping, it’s the ultimate comfort food for dinner or parties.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking dish
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken breast diced
Sauce
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 pieces green onions sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish and set aside.
- Cook rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, sauté diced chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and slightly golden. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux, cooking 1-2 minutes until golden.
- Gradually whisk in milk, cooking until thickened (3-5 minutes). Stir in cream cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add cheddar cheese and buffalo sauce. Stir until fully melted and creamy. Adjust spice level to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, chicken, and cheese sauce. Mix until pasta is well coated.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs and drizzle melted butter if desired.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with sliced green onions. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded. Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce depending on your spice preference. Add blue cheese crumbles for extra flavor.