Description
Creamy, spicy, and topped with buttery panko, this buffalo chicken mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food with bold flavor and a golden crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz dry macaroni noodles (Cellentani or elbow)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded chicken
For Panko Topping:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 1.5 qt round or 9×9-inch square baking dish.
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Slowly add milk and all spices, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer until slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, and sour cream until melted and smooth.
- Add buffalo sauce and stir well.
- Fold in shredded chicken and cooked pasta. Mix until evenly coated.
- Pour mixture into baking dish and smooth the top.
- To make the topping: Melt butter and olive oil in a small pan. Add panko and stir until golden brown.
- Sprinkle toasted panko over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Use a mild buffalo sauce or mix with extra sour cream if you prefer less heat.
Rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded chicken both work well.
Make ahead: assemble and refrigerate without topping. Add panko and bake when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 458
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1003mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 93mg