This Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ideal method to go through extra chicken! Finished off with blue cheddar and prepared in the broiler, this is a macintosh and cheddar formula you would prefer not to miss!
Otherwise known as one of the numerous reasons I’ll never possess a six pack. This isn’t just one of my #1 approaches to utilize wild ox sauce, but on the other hand it’s one of my #1 macintosh and cheddar plans.
On the off chance that you’ve been a peruser of dig for some time, you’ll know I’m a sucker for prepared macintosh and cheddar. Nothing beats that brilliant, firm layer on top. Nonetheless, I do enthusiastically suggest heating it, yet you can have this unbaked on the off chance that you need. Simply leave off the breadcrumbs, yet at the same time disintegrate over the blue cheddar and spring onion.
On the other side on the off chance that you need it heated, pour over blue cheddar breadcrumbs and fly in the stove uncovered until brilliant, effervescent and flavorful. Sprinkle with spring onion toward the end.
I suggest either searing your breadcrumbs in some margarine OR showering over oil not long prior to heating. Both will help the breadcrumbs come out brilliant and crunchy, not dry and brittle.
Ingredients:
- 14oz / 400g Elbow Macaroni (or regular macaroni)
- 4 cups / 1litre Milk, at room temp
- 2 cups Leftover Rotisserie Chicken, shredded
- 3 cups / 300g Cheddar, grated
- 1 cup / 100g Mozzarella, shredded
- 1/2 cup / 125ml Buffalo Sauce
- 1/2 cup / 120g Sour Cream
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 4 tbsp Flour
- 2 Celery Stalks, finely diced (optional)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
Topping
- 3oz / 85g Blue Cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup / 30g Breadcrumbs (see notes)
- 1 large Spring/Green Onion, sliced
Instructions:
- Melt 4 tbsp butter in a large deep skillet over medium heat and add 2 stalks of celery. Fry for a minute to soften very slightly, then stir in 4 tbsp flour to form a paste. Very gradually add milk, whisking as you go to smooth out any lumps. At no point should it have a watery consistency, if it has you’ve poured it in too quickly. In such case just to simmer to reduce/thicken before you add more.
- Meanwhile, cook 14oz/400g pasta in salted boiling water until only JUST cooked. You want it still a bit hard. Drain and combine with cheese sauce after step 4.
- Once thickened, stir in 3cups/300g and 1cup/100g mozzarella. It’s important to make sure your sauce has thickened before you add the cheese, don’t use the cheese to thicken the sauce.
- Add 1/2cup/125ml buffalo sauce, 1/2cup/120g sour cream, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder and salt & pepper to taste. Stir in 2 cups shredded chicken. Combine with pasta.
- Pour into a baking dish, top with 3oz/85g crumbled blue cheese, then top with 1/2cup/30g breadcrumbs. Bake in the oven at 390f/200c for 20mins or until golden and bubbly. Serve with sliced green onion.
Notes:
- Celery – Leave this is out if you don’t like celery.
- Buffalo Sauce – Can sub for Hot sauce, however it’s usually spicier so just go careful with the quantity.
- Spring Onion – Sub fresh chives. I wouldn’t leave this out, adds awesome flavour & pop of colour.
- Leftover Chicken – Can cook and shred chicken if you don’t have leftover rotisserie. 2 breasts should work perfectly.
- Bake or No Bake – You can do this without baking, in which case just leave off the breadcrumbs. Still do serve with crumbled blue cheese and spring onion though.
- Breadcrumbs – I use Panko for extra crispiness, but any breadcrumbs will work. You’ll either want to quickly fry them in a bit of butter OR spray olive oil over before baking. This will ensure they come out golden and crispy, not dry and powdery.
- Al Dente Pasta – Very important to ensure the pasta is only just cooked, otherwise it’ll come out soft and broken once baked.
- Calories – based on all the above ingredient quantity, using olive oil spray for breadcrumbs and shared between 6 people.
Nutrition:
Nutrition Facts
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Amount Per Serving
Calories 855Calories from Fat 334
% Daily Value*
Fat 37.12g57%
Saturated Fat 20.881g104%
Trans Fat 0.805g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.121g
Monounsaturated Fat 9.929g
Cholesterol 156mg52%
Sodium 1343mg56%
Potassium 832mg24%
Carbohydrates 71.61g24%
Fiber 4.3g17%
Sugar 13.37g15%
Protein 57.14g114%
Vitamin A 1517IU30%
Vitamin C 5.1mg6%
Calcium 903mg90%
Iron 2.16mg12%
