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A close-up of a creamy buffalo chicken mac and cheese, featuring tender chunks of buffalo-spiced chicken mixed with elbow macaroni, all coated in rich, golden cheese sauce.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese


  • Author: Emma Hart
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

Creamy, spicy dish with shredded rotisserie chicken, elbow macaroni, and rich three-cheese sauce plus tangy hot sauce. Perfect comfort food balancing bold heat and cheesy smoothness for game-day or family meals.


Ingredients

Scale

16 oz elbow macaroni
1 rotisserie chicken
6 tbsp butter
6 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 pinch ground black pepper
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
½ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot, adjust to taste)
½ cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese


Instructions

  1. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until just tender (about 8 minutes). Drain and set aside.

  2. Prepare chicken: Remove skin and bones from rotisserie chicken. Shred meat, focusing on dark meat for texture.

  3. Make roux: In a large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until it forms a paste; cook 1 minute until lightly golden.

  4. Add milk: Gradually pour in milk, whisking constantly. Continue stirring until sauce is thickened and bubbling, about 5–6 minutes. Season with black pepper.

  5. Add cheeses: Reduce heat to low. Stir in Cheddar and Monterey Jack until melted into a smooth sauce.

  6. Add flavor: Mix in hot sauce to taste, followed by crumbled gorgonzola for depth.

  7. Combine: Add shredded chicken and cooked macaroni, stirring to fully coat with sauce.

  8. Serve: Spoon into bowls and garnish with extra cheese, green onions, or hot sauce if desired.

Notes

Whisk constantly while adding milk to avoid lumps.

Adjust hot sauce for preferred spice.

Gorgonzola adds tang; swap with blue cheese if preferred.

Use fresh or leftover shredded chicken.

Store leftovers airtight in fridge 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish, Pasta
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
  • Calories: 640
  • Sugar: 5
  • Sodium: 970
  • Fat: 35
  • Saturated Fat: 19
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16
  • Carbohydrates: 43
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 40
  • Cholesterol: 160

Keywords: buffalo chicken mac and cheese, spicy chicken pasta, creamy mac and cheese, one pot pasta dinner, game day comfort food