Stovetop Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
This buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese recipe is exactly what you need to spice up your weeknight routine. Ready in 40 minutes, this is one pasta recipe that the entire family will love.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta, al dente
- ½-1 cup reserved pasta water, to thin cheese sauce as needed
- 1 lb. chicken breasts, about 2 boneless, skinless breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt, season chicken
- pepper, season chicken
Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons AP flour, all purpose
- 1 cup 2% milk
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 6 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Frank's red hot sauce
Optional Toppings
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Equipment
- 1 pasta pot
- 1 11-inch oven safe saucepan
- 1 skillet for the chicken breasts
- 1 colander to drain the pasta
Instructions
Prepare the pasta
- Boil a pot of water and cook the jumbo shell pasta according to the package. Al dente is best. Reserve a ½ cup of the pasta water for the cheese sauce. Drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside.
Prepare the chicken breasts
- Over medium heat, add olive oil to a non-stick skillet. Season and cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side or until cooked through. Set side to cool. Next, using two forks, shred the chicken in a bowl and set it aside.
Prepare the sauce
- In an oven safe saucepan, add butter and AP flour over medium/low heat to form a roux. Once the roux begins to bubble, slowly add the milk to form a béchamel sauce. Next, add the chicken broth.
- Once the sauce is smooth and creamy you will begin to add the cubed Velveeta and shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until well combined.
- Next, add the hot sauce and stir until it is well combined. Reduce the heat to low. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce begins to thicken too much. This will loosen it back up.
Assemble the dish
- Combine the cooked pasta and cheese sauce, toss until well coated. Top the dish with the shredded chicken and serve hot.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 824kcal, Carbohydrates: 79g, Protein: 54g, Fat: 31g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 147mg, Sodium: 1902mg, Potassium: 985mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 1246IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 568mg, Iron: 2mg