Best Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
This Best Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe combines crispy popcorn chicken with creamy, cheesy macaroni, zesty Buffalo sauce, and cool ranch dressing for a comforting, flavorful twist on classic mac and cheese. Perfectly cooked macaroni enveloped in a rich cheddar cheese sauce is topped with spicy Buffalo-coated chicken and melty cheese, then baked until golden and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb frozen popcorn chicken
Macaroni and Cheese Sauce
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups heavy cream (35% MF)
- 1 lb macaroni noodles
- 10.5 oz condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend, divided
Toppings
- 1 cup Buffalo sauce
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Prepare the frozen popcorn chicken according to the package instructions until fully cooked and crispy. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven: Heat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the assembled dish.
- Boil liquids: In a large pot on the stovetop, pour in 4 cups of water and 2 cups of heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook macaroni: Once boiling, add 1 lb of macaroni noodles, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until noodles are tender.
- Mix cheese sauce: Remove the lid, stir well, then add 10.5 oz condensed cheddar cheese soup, 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Stir to combine fully.
- Add cheese: Stir in 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend into the mac and cheese mixture until melted and smooth.
- Assemble in baking dish: Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and pour the mac and cheese mixture evenly into it.
- Add chicken and toppings: Evenly sprinkle the cooked popcorn chicken over the macaroni. Drizzle 1 cup of Buffalo sauce over the chicken, followed by 1/3 cup ranch dressing. Finally, sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the cheese on top is fully melted and beginning to brown around the edges.
- Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let the Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese rest for a few minutes before scooping and serving. Enjoy your delicious, cheesy, spicy comfort food!
Notes
- For extra spice, add more Buffalo sauce or mix hot sauce into the cheese sauce.
- You can substitute frozen popcorn chicken with freshly breaded chicken nuggets if preferred.
- Use low-fat cream or milk for a lighter version, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Ensure to stir the macaroni occasionally to prevent sticking to the pot.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best results.
Keywords: Buffalo chicken mac and cheese, cheesy mac and cheese, Buffalo chicken recipe, comfort food, baked macaroni and cheese
