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Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Tender pasta in a creamy cheese sauce with tangy buffalo sauce and juicy chicken pieces all baked together until bubbly.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast pounded to even thickness
  • 1/3 cup blue cheese dressing
  • 8 oz cavatappi pasta
  • 2 tablespoons butter room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
  • 2 oz cream cheese softened

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling
  • large pot or Dutch oven
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. Place boneless, skinless chicken breast in a pot of water and boil for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked. While chicken cooks, gather and measure all remaining ingredients.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to rolling boil and cook cavatappi pasta according to package directions until al dente, removing about 2 minutes early.
  3. Remove cooked chicken from water, let cool slightly, then shred it. Combine shredded chicken with blue cheese dressing and set aside.
  4. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux.
  5. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute. Gradually add heavy cream and milk in splashes, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
  6. Bring sauce to gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Stir in buffalo sauce, hot sauce, mustard powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  7. Remove from heat and let cool for one minute. Add finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese and softened cream cheese, stirring continuously until both cheeses are completely melted and sauce is smooth and creamy.
  8. Add shredded chicken mixed with blue cheese dressing and cooked cavatappi pasta to finished cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine, ensuring pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
  9. Serve immediately while hot and bubbly.

Notes

Don't add cheese to boiling sauce - remove from heat first to prevent separation. Can substitute ranch dressing for blue cheese. Any short pasta shape works. Adjust buffalo sauce amount based on spice preference.
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