Classic mac and cheese just stepped up its game with a spicy kick from Buffalo sauce and the hearty addition of chicken.
Two classics come together to create Buffalo chicken mac and cheese. It’s a mouthwatering blend, well-loved for its cheesy comfort food style with the addition of a spicy Buffalo sauce kick. Typically, it includes tender chicken, elbow macaroni, a cheesy sauce, and Buffalo wing sauce.
The tasty creation is believed to have originated in the 2000s, when creative chefs and home cooks began blending American fare. The inspiration likely stemmed from the popularity of Buffalo chicken wings, which first emerged in Buffalo, New York, during the 1960s. Someone had the notion to meld these wings with the velvety richness of mac and cheese, resulting in a newfound favorite.
The dish swiftly gained traction in eateries and households, offering a blend of spiciness and coziness. Nowadays, Buffalo chicken mac and cheese holds a place at gatherings, cookouts, and intimate meals, always ensuring a kick with each cheesy mouthful.
I like spice, so combining Buffalo chicken sauce with gooey mac and cheese is a no-brainer. When choosing a cheddar cheese for this recipe, I prefer a sharp cheddar. The sharpness, along with the Buffalo spice, is pure perfection.
Is Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Healthy?
There’s delicious, and then there’s healthy, and sometimes, if you’re lucky, a recipe is both. However, Buffalo chicken mac and cheese isn’t one you would add to your list of healthiest recipes.
Still, you can change up a few things to make it healthier. For example, using reduced-fat milk instead of whole milk works, though the mac and cheese may be a bit less creamy. You can also use less cheese (reduce the shredded cheese amounts to half a cup) and still have a tasty dish, but of course, not as ooey-gooey cheesy. Another option is to use whole wheat elbow macaroni for additional fiber. You could also use gluten-free macaroni if you need to avoid gluten.
What exactly is buffalo chicken?
As mentioned, Buffalo chicken wings emerged in the 1960s in upstate New York as a spicy chicken wing. But what is Buffalo sauce, exactly? There are many ways to season a chicken wing, but Buffalo sauce, which is used on wings and now other dishes as well, is a unique yet simple blend of cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and butter. Isn’t butter always involved when something is delicious? Using that sauce in this recipe for chicken mac and cheese adds the perfect buttery zing.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Once the dish has cooled, place the leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Buffalo chicken mac and cheese is a hearty dish, so it does well with light sides, such as salads. Some of my favorites to serve with this dish are a Balsamic-Grilled Veggie Salad, the Mediterranean Cucumber Salad, or a Fresh Corn And Mango Salad. Remember that the dish is salty, buttery, and spicy, so it’s important to have something cool and refreshing on the side. A simple serving of celery and carrots works perfectly, just as it does with Buffalo Chicken Wings.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, until a thick paste forms.
- Gradually add the milk to the pot, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and smooth. Season with black pepper.
- Mix in the Buffalo wing sauce, then add the shredded chicken and cooked macaroni, stirring until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese, and bake for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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