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chicken mac and cheese in skillet
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Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

creamy delicious and cheesy mac and cheese made with whole wheat pasta, seasoned chicken bites and tossed in with a buffalo sauce.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 224kcal
Author Rena

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast boneless, skinless
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1-1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1-1/2 cup milk of choice
  • 1-1/2 cup whole wheat elbow noodles
  • 1/4 cup mild buffalo sauce
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • Optional: a small handful of fresh curly parsley chopped to garnish

Instructions

  • Cut the chicken into small cubes. Place the chicken cubes, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper into amixing bowl.
  • Using a wooden spoon, mix well until all the chicken pieces are evenly coated. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook until nicely golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to low, then pour in the broth and milk. Allow it to simmer until liquid starts to bubble.
  • When the mixture starts to bubble, add the noodles. Once again let it simmer until noodles are tender for about 10-12 minutes.
  • When noodles are tender, stir in the buffalo sauce and 1 cup of cheese. Stir well until sauce is thick, creamy, and cheesy. Divide the mac and cheese among your serving bowls.
  • Top with remaining cheese while still piping hot, and serve immediately. If you want the dish to be fancier, transfer the mac and cheese to a large baking dish.
  • Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and broil until the top is golden brown. Garnish with fresh curly parsley, if desired, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Substitutes:
  • chicken: use any protein of choice, Chicken works best in terms of flavor and you may use the meat of chicken thighs.
  • Pasta: any pasta you have on hand that fits your dietary needs. There are healthier pasta choices like chickpea and lentil pasta 
  • Buffalo sauce: go with a healthier buffalo sauce with no added sugar.
  • Broth: we used chicken broth to bring out the flavor but you can use vegetable broth or water
  • Milk: any milk of choice will work. We used 2%
Storage:
Place leftovers in a container and store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave when ready to eat. You can freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutritional facts:
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 901mg | Potassium: 375mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 139IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 1mg