Buffalo Parmesan Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 45–50 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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2 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken (grilled, baked, or rotisserie)
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½ cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot or your preferred brand)
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1 tbsp butter (optional, to mellow the heat)
For the Pasta:
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12 oz elbow macaroni or short pasta (cooked al dente, drained)
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Salt for pasta water
For the Cheese Sauce:
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3 tbsp butter
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3 tbsp all-purpose flour
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2½ cups milk (whole milk preferred)
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1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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1 cup grated parmesan cheese
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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4–6 cloves roasted garlic (or 2 minced raw cloves sautéed in butter)
Instructions
1. Prep Chicken:
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In a skillet, gently heat shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and 1 tbsp butter (if using) over low heat.
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Cook for 3–4 minutes until warmed through. Set aside.
2. Cook Pasta:
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Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until just al dente.
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Drain and set aside.
3. Make Cheese Sauce:
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In a large saucepan, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat.
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Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a light roux.
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Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until smooth.
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Cook and stir for 4–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
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Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and mashed roasted garlic (or sautéed raw garlic).
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Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan until melted and smooth.
4. Combine:
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Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.
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Gently fold in the buffalo chicken.
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Taste and adjust seasoning (add more buffalo sauce if you want it hotter).
5. Optional Bake:
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Pour mac and cheese into a greased baking dish.
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Sprinkle extra cheese or breadcrumbs on top (optional).
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Bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
6. Serve:
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Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions, parsley, or an extra drizzle of buffalo sauce and ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired.
Optional Add-Ins:
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Crumbled bacon
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Blue cheese crumbles (for an extra buffalo wing flavor)
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Diced jalapeños or hot sauce (for extra heat)
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A drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing on top
Let me know if you’d like a stovetop-only version, a lower-heat version, or how to turn it into a meal prep bake.
