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Creamy Buffalo Chicken Mac

Featured in Juicy chicken done your way.

This creamy, spicy pasta mixes gooey cheese, buffalo chicken, and crunchy panko. It’s comfort food done right, ready in no time!

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alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Tue, 20 May 2025 12:37:54 GMT
Macaroni and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping and parsley garnish beside sour cream. Pin it
Macaroni and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping and parsley garnish beside sour cream. | tasteofsavor.com

You get the best of both worlds with this buffalo chicken mac. Every bite has a creamy, cheesy, and spicy hit. The chicken stays juicy, and the crunchy breadcrumb layer is just awesome. When I make it, the smell fills the whole house. Everyone wants seconds—especially on big game nights or when friends come over.

The Ultimate Party Bite

This one nails the combo of spice and rich cheese. The cheesy goodness with a bit of buffalo tang is something special. Hungry crowd or just feeding yourself, this mac is all about big flavor and real comfort. It totally hits the spot.

What You’ll Need

  • Seasonings: You’ll want 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and paprika, and a pinch (about 1/4 teaspoon) of cayenne.
  • 6 tablespoons butter: Divide this up; most is for the sauce, but you’ll use some for the topping too.
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: Thickens up the gooey sauce nicely.
  • 3 cups whole milk: Warm it a little first so the sauce doesn’t get lumpy.
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs: These Japanese breadcrumbs pack the crunch.
  • 3 cups shredded chicken: Go for rotisserie to save time and effort.
  • 1/2 cup sour cream: Full fat is best for a rich taste, and it cools down the heat a bit.
  • 8 oz cream cheese: Get it to room temperature, full fat, so everything mixes smooth.
  • 3 cups mixed cheese: Shred 2 cups sharp cheddar and 1 cup mozzarella yourself so they melt perfectly.
  • 1 pound pasta: Use elbow or cavatappi. Cook bang on 9 minutes for just-right noodles.
  • 1 cup buffalo sauce: Frank’s RedHot Buffalo gives the best kick (not regular hot sauce). Tweak the amount if you want it milder or hotter.

Simple How-To Steps

Pop It All in the Oven
Mix your cooked pasta and chicken with the cheesy buffalo sauce, then spoon it all into a buttered 9x13 dish. Cover with your crisp panko topping. Slide it in a 350°F oven and bake until it’s bubbling, about 15-20 minutes.
Crisp Up the Top
With a little butter melted in a skillet, cook the panko until it’s golden and crunchy. Don’t walk away—stir the whole time, should take 3-4 minutes.
Cheese and Buffalo Magic
On low heat, add your shredded cheese in batches, stirring so it melts in. Now toss in the buffalo sauce and sour cream, and season with those spices. Mix till it’s nice and smooth.
Start Your Cheese Base
Over medium heat, melt 4 Tbsp butter in a big pot. Stir in the flour and let it cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the warm milk and keep whisking until you’ve got a thick, smooth base, about 5 minutes. Drop in cream cheese and stir till it melts.
Get Your Pasta Ready
Boil a big pot of water, salt it with about a tablespoon, and drop in your pasta. Cook 9 minutes for the perfect bite. Drain but don’t rinse, and save a cup of the pasta water just in case you need it later.

Handy Tips

  • Shred blocks of cheese by hand—bagged shreds never melt as well because of weird stuff they coat them with.
  • Toast the panko before sprinkling it on top. That gives the best taste and crunch.
  • Use 3/4 cup buffalo sauce at first, then splash in more if you want more heat. The spiciness can change from one brand to another.
  • Let it cool off 5-10 minutes when it comes out of the oven, so the sauce thickens up just right.

Popular Questions

  • Want to prep ahead? Put everything together but don’t add the topping yet. Cover and chill for up to a day. Toss on the panko just before baking.
  • How spicy? It’s like the heat in medium buffalo wings. Add less or more sauce if you want to tweak it.
  • Making double? Use two 9x13 pans instead of one huge one. That way it bakes evenly and all the cheesy goodness gets the right texture.
Macaroni coated in creamy cheese sauce fills a pot with a wooden spoon tucked in. Pin it
Macaroni coated in creamy cheese sauce fills a pot with a wooden spoon tucked in. | tasteofsavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How spicy does this get?

The heat depends on how much buffalo sauce you add. Dairy like cream cheese softens the spice for balance.

→ Is pre-cooked chicken okay?

Absolutely! Rotisserie or pre-shredded chicken saves time and works perfectly here.

→ Why use three cheeses?

Each cheese brings something special: creaminess from cream cheese, stretch from mozzarella, and sharpness from cheddar.

→ Why toast the panko first?

Toasting ensures it gets golden and crisp. Adding raw panko doesn’t give the same crunch.

→ Can I prepare this ahead?

Yes, just leave off the panko topping and store in the fridge. Add fresh toasted crumbs when reheating.

Buffalo Chicken Mac

Spicy buffalo chicken meets creamy pasta and crispy golden panko for a comforting meal you’ll love.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Poultry

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 large casserole)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 8 oz of uncooked macaroni.
02 A cup and a half of shredded chicken.
03 3 tbsp of butter.
04 3 tbsp of all-purpose flour.
05 2 cups of milk.
06 4 oz of cream cheese.
07 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella.
08 1 cup of sharp cheddar.
09 1/3 cup of sour cream.
10 1/2 cup of hot buffalo sauce.
11 1/2 tsp each of black pepper and salt.
12 1/2 tsp each of onion and garlic powders.
13 1/2 tsp of ground mustard.
14 1 tbsp of butter (for topping).
15 1/2 tbsp of olive oil (for topping).
16 Half a cup of seasoned panko crumbs.

Instructions

Step 01

Cook macaroni until just tender, shred the chicken, and grease your baking dish.

Step 02

Melt butter and mix with flour to make a paste. Slowly add milk, spices, and cheeses, then sour cream and buffalo sauce. Toss in the chicken and macaroni.

Step 03

Toast panko crumbs with butter and a bit of oil until they’re golden. Scatter over the top of the dish.

Step 04

Bake for 15 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.

Notes

  1. Easy and comforting.
  2. Spice level is flexible.
  3. Rotisserie chicken works well here.
  4. Prepare it in advance if needed.
  5. Perfect for parties or big games.
  6. Try experimenting with different cheeses.

Tools You'll Need

  • A big pot.
  • An oven-safe dish.
  • A small pan for toasting.
  • Measuring tools.
  • Cheese grater.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy products like milk, butter, and cheese.
  • Made with wheat-based ingredients like pasta and panko.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 458
  • Total Fat: 27 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 31 g
  • Protein: 22 g