Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Crockpot : This slow cooker buffalo chicken mac and cheese combining tender shredded chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, and creamy macaroni and cheese, this dish is an easy-to-make crowd-pleaser perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, or potlucks.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Effortless Prep: Let your crockpot do the heavy lifting while you sit back and relax.
- Perfect Flavor Combo: The bold heat of buffalo sauce paired with gooey, creamy cheese is a match made in food heaven.
- Feeds a Crowd: This recipe makes a hearty portion that’s ideal for sharing with friends and family.
- Easily Customizable: Adjust the heat, cheese, or add-ins to suit your preferences.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Control the Heat: If you prefer a milder version, use less buffalo sauce or opt for a mild variety. For extra heat, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Use Pre-Cooked Chicken: To save time, use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked shredded chicken. Simply skip to step 3 and mix it with the buffalo sauce.
Prevent Sticky Pasta: Stir the pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent clumping.
Cheese Choices: While cheddar works well, a blend of mozzarella, gouda, or pepper jack adds extra flavor and creaminess.
Add Veggies: Mix in steamed broccoli, spinach, or even diced celery for a complete meal.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Casserole: Transfer the cooked mac and cheese to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and extra cheese, and broil for 5 minutes for a crispy finish.
- Healthier Version: Use whole wheat pasta, light cream cheese, and reduced-fat shredded cheese. Add extra veggies to amp up the nutrition.
- Spicy Twist: Mix in jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- BBQ Buffalo Mac: Add a splash of BBQ sauce for a smoky-sweet twist on this dish.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Main Dish: Serve it as a standalone meal with a side salad or garlic bread.
- Game Day Appetizer: Scoop small portions into individual cups for a fun, shareable snack.
- Buffalo Bar: Serve with optional toppings like crispy bacon, crushed crackers, or extra cheese, allowing everyone to customize their bowl.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth to maintain creaminess. Alternatively, reheat in a pot over low heat, stirring frequently.
- Freezing: While the pasta texture may change slightly, you can freeze this dish for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as instructed.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked pasta?
Yes! If using pre-cooked pasta, stir it in after shredding the chicken, reducing the cooking time significantly.
What’s the best buffalo sauce to use?
Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice for this recipe. It delivers the perfect balance of heat and tang.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are labeled gluten-free.
How do I keep the cheese sauce creamy?
Avoid overcooking the pasta, and add a splash of milk or cream while reheating leftovers.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, this recipe can be easily doubled to feed a larger group. Just ensure your crockpot is large enough to hold everything.
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Crockpot
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Crockpot : This slow cooker buffalo chicken mac and cheese combining tender shredded chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, and creamy macaroni and cheese, this dish is an easy-to-make crowd-pleaser perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, or potlucks.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce (start with ¼ cup, add more to taste)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp celery salt
- 8 oz shell pasta (uncooked)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1½ cups milk
- 6 oz shredded colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Add chicken, broth, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery salt to your slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours until chicken is fully cooked.Shred the chicken with forks and return it to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the uncooked pasta, cover, and cook on HIGH for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water ¼ cup at a time if the pasta seems dry.
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
Whisk in the flour, then slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until smooth. - Simmer for 4-6 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Remove from heat and whisk in the shredded cheese until melted and smooth. - Pour the cheese sauce into the slow cooker and stir until everything is creamy and combined.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra buffalo sauce or green onions if you like!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 591Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 168mgSodium: 1745mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 53g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is the perfect combination of comfort and spice, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion. It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with bold buffalo flavor that everyone will love. Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a party, or meal prepping for the week, this slow cooker recipe will quickly become a staple in your kitchen.
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