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Creamy Buffalo Chicken Mac

Section: Comfort Food Classics That Feel Like a Warm Hug

A crowd-pleasing mix of spicy buffalo chicken, creamy pasta, and buttery, toasted breadcrumbs for the perfect crunch.

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iamcooker.com
Sofia Pitt sofia
Most recent update: Mon, 05 May 2025 15:10:37 GMT
A cozy plate of mac and cheese with golden breadcrumbs and parsley, served with a side of sour cream. Save
A cozy plate of mac and cheese with golden breadcrumbs and parsley, served with a side of sour cream. | iamcooker.com

Mac and Cheese with Buffalo Chicken brings together two beloved comfort classics in one mind-blowing dish. Whenever I whip up this smooth, slightly spicy mac and cheese packed with juicy chicken and finished with crunchy breadcrumbs, the smell that fills my home is unbelievable. It's now my favorite thing to bring to game nights and family gatherings.

Ideal Crowd-Pleasing Dish

What makes this dish so fantastic is how the flavors work together. The creamy cheese mixture with that buffalo tang creates something you can't stop eating. If you're cooking for friends or just want something filling, this cheesy pasta will hit the spot every time.

What You'll Need

  • 1 cup buffalo sauce: Try to use Frank's RedHot Buffalo sauce if you can; regular hot sauce won't work the same. Use less if you don't want it too spicy.
  • 1 pound pasta: Go for elbow macaroni or cavatappi; cook them for 9 minutes sharp for the best bite.
  • 3 cups mixed cheese: Grab 1 cup mozzarella and 2 cups sharp cheddar; grate them yourself from blocks.
  • 8 oz cream cheese: Make sure it's full fat and left out to soften for easy mixing.
  • 1/2 cup sour cream: Full fat works best; it adds creaminess and cools down the heat.
  • 3 cups shredded chicken: Grabbing a rotisserie chicken from the store makes this part quick.
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs: These special Japanese breadcrumbs give the best crunch on top.
  • 3 cups whole milk: Warm it up a bit so your sauce stays smooth.
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: This helps make your cheese sauce thick.
  • 6 tablespoons butter: You'll split this between making the sauce and the topping.
  • Seasonings: You need 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne.

How To Make It

Cook The Pasta
Fill a big pot with water and bring it to a boil with 1 tablespoon salt. Cook your pasta for exactly 9 minutes until it's tender but still firm. Drain it but don't wash it, and save 1 cup of the pasta water.
Make Your Sauce Base
In a large pot over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the warm milk while whisking non-stop until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Drop in the cream cheese and stir until it melts completely.
Mix In Cheeses And Sauce
Turn the heat down low. Add your shredded cheeses one cup at a time, making sure each cup melts fully before adding more. Pour in the buffalo sauce and sour cream, stirring until everything's mixed well. Add your spices.
Get The Topping Ready
Melt your last 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan. Toss in the panko and stir constantly while it browns, about 3-4 minutes.
Put It All Together
Mix your pasta and chicken into the cheese sauce. Pour everything into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle your browned panko on top. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until it's bubbling.

Making It Perfect

  • Don't use pre-shredded cheese bags since they've got stuff added that stops your sauce from getting smooth.
  • Brown your panko in advance for better flavor and guaranteed crunchiness.
  • Start with 3/4 cup of buffalo sauce and taste before adding more because brands vary in spiciness.
  • Let your dish sit for 5-10 minutes after baking so the sauce can set up nicely.

Quick Answers

  • Cooking ahead: You can put it all together early, cover it, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just add the topping right before you bake it.
  • Spiciness: It's about as hot as medium buffalo wings, but you can change how much sauce you add.
  • Making more: Better to use two 9x13 pans instead of one bigger one so it cooks evenly and has the right amount of sauce.
A close-up of a pot filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, featuring cooked pasta and a wooden spoon.
A close-up of a pot filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, featuring cooked pasta and a wooden spoon. | iamcooker.com

Recipe Q&A

→ Is this meal really spicy?

The buffalo sauce gives heat that can be adjusted to your liking. Dairy like cream cheese helps balance the spice.

→ Could I use cooked chicken?

Absolutely! Rotisserie or any cooked, shredded chicken will cut down prep time and taste great.

→ Three cheeses? Why?

Each has a role: cheddar for bold flavor, mozzarella for gooeyness, and cream cheese for rich smoothness.

→ Why bother toasting panko first?

Toasting it in butter makes it crispy and golden. Uncooked panko will stay soft and pale.

→ Can I prep this ahead?

Yes, assemble without the topping, refrigerate, then add fresh panko and reheat when needed.

Buffalo Mac

Spice up your pasta night with cheesy mac, buffalo chicken, and golden-crispy panko in every bite.

Prep Duration
20 min
Cooking Period
15 min
Entire Time Required
35 min
Sofia Pitt: sofia

Type: Soul-Warming

Difficulty: Moderate

Regional Style: American

Output: 8 Portions (1 casserole)

Dietary Attributes: ~

Needed Ingredients

01 8 ounces of uncooked macaroni pasta.
02 1 and 1/2 cups of pulled chicken.
03 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
04 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
05 2 cups of whole milk.
06 4 ounces of soft cream cheese.
07 1 and 1/2 cups of mozzarella, shredded.
08 1 cup of sharp cheddar, grated.
09 1/3 cup of sour cream.
10 1/2 cup of hot buffalo sauce.
11 1/2 teaspoon of both salt and black pepper.
12 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder.
13 1/2 teaspoon of ground mustard powder.
14 1 tablespoon of butter (for the crumb topping).
15 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil (for the crumb topping).
16 1/2 cup of seasoned breadcrumbs.

Preparation Steps

Step 01

Shred the chicken, boil pasta till still a bit firm, and grease your casserole dish.

Step 02

Mix butter and flour on the stove. Pour in milk, season, and stir in cheeses with sour cream. Add hot sauce, then toss in the chicken and cooked pasta.

Step 03

Toast the breadcrumbs with butter and a splash of olive oil until nicely browned, then scatter on top.

Step 04

Pop it in the oven for about 15 minutes until it’s bubbling and looks amazing.

Supplementary Details

  1. Easy dish for cozy nights.
  2. You can make it as spicy or mild as you like.
  3. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly here.
  4. Preps ahead like a champ.
  5. Perfect for watching the big game.
  6. Feel free to try out different cheeses.

Necessary Tools

  • Big cooking pot.
  • Oven-safe dish.
  • Small pot for making sauce.
  • Measuring tools.
  • Cheese grater.

Allergen Advisory

Review each item for allergens. Consult a medical expert if unsure.
  • Contains milk products like cheese and butter.
  • Includes wheat in pasta and breadcrumbs.

Nutrient Breakdown (per serving)

This information is provided for reference and should not replace consultation with a health professional.
  • Caloric Value: 458
  • Total Fat: 27 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 31 g
  • Proteins: 22 g