My creamy buffalo chicken mac and cheese is topped off with a buttery toasted panko for next-level flavor. It’s quick to make in just over 30 minutes! Recipe includes a how-to video!
The Best Buffalo Mac and Cheese
Today’s buffalo chicken mac and cheese recipe started out as a just-for-fun experiment (so many of my recipes do!) but after taste testing I didn’t have a choice — I had to share it with you! With its irresistibly creamy texture and buffalo chicken dip-esque flavor, this one was just too good to keep to myself.
This recipe has everything you love about baked mac & cheese, plus an extra kick of flavor from the buffalo sauce. It’s cheesy, creamy, a little spicy, and so hearty with plenty of shredded chicken.
I top mine off with a buttery, crispy crown of toasted panko for some extra texture and flavor, and it’s truly the best mac and cheese I’ve had (my bacon mac and cheese is a close second though!). I just know you’re going to love it too!
What You Need
There are quite a lot of ingredients up there, so let’s go over some of the most important ones:
- Buffalo sauce. Make sure you’re using prepared buffalo sauce and not straight hot sauce (which would add more heat than intended).
- Pasta. You can use macaroni (a classic choice! I use this in my easy mac and cheese), but cavatappi/cellentani is a bit more fun.
- Cheese. Grab some mozzarella and cheddar blocks and shred them yourself–this is critical for the smoothest sauce and best melting. Pre-shredded cheeses may be more convenient, but they contain anti-caking agents that prevent them from melting smoothly.
- Sour cream + cream cheese. To make this buffalo mac and cheese extra creamy, we’ll go beyond your standard shredded cheeses and use cream cheese and sour cream too. These two ingredients are possibly the most critical in developing such a creamy and richly flavored dish!
- Chicken. Any cooked, shredded chicken will work. I like to use a rotisserie chicken or my slow cooker shredded chicken.
- Panko. We toast this panko in butter on the stovetop for wonderful, buttery flavor. Sometimes, instead of using panko I make breadcrumbs out of my sourdough bread and use those, instead!
SAM’S TIP: Since this dish is so creamy and rich, it makes a great party/potluck dish. It’s the kind of comfort food that you pile on your plate at a party, then find yourself going back for seconds…and thirds!
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese
- Cook your pasta to al dente according to package directions, then drain and keep warm.
- Melt the butter and stir in the flour until smooth.
- Stir in the spices and milk, then bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and stir frequently until thickened. Once thickened, stir in the cheeses and sour cream until smooth.
- Stir in the hot sauce, then add the chicken and pasta.
- Pour into a buttered baking dish and prepare the panko topping.
Panko Topping
- Melt the butter and olive oil together over medium heat, then add the panko.
- Stir and toast the panko until it absorbs the butter and oil and begins to turn a light golden brown.
- Sprinkle the panko over your prepared mac and cheese.
- Bake at 350F for 15 minutes, then enjoy!
SAM’S TIP: Fresh chopped parsley makes a pretty, fresh garnish on this mac and cheese. This is optional, but I do like to add it if I have some on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! If you’d like to make the recipe up until the baking step, you can cover it and refrigerate until ready to bake. When you’re ready, simply remove your covering and bake until warmed through.
My buffalo mac and cheese carries some heat, but it’s not overwhelmingly hot (though you heat-seekers out there can feel free to up the ante with a few extra tablespoons of buffalo sauce). The heat is nicely tempered by the cheeses, so I find the spice level to be mild or about as hot as a buffalo chicken dip would be.
Yes! This buffalo mac and cheese doubles nicely, especially for parties. You’ll want to bake it in a 9×13 if you do. Keep in mind the bake time might be a bit longer in a bigger pan.
Let me know in the comments if you’d like to see more spruced up mac and cheese recipes!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz (230 g) dry macaroni noodles (I used Cellentani noodles)
- 3 Tablespoons (42 g) butter
- 3 Tablespoons (24 g) flour
- 2 cups (475 ml) milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese
- 1 ½ cup (170 g) shredded mozzarella cheese I use low-moisture part skim
- 1 cup (115 g) sharp shredded cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup (80 g) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) buffalo hot sauce
- 1 ½ cups (200 g) shredded chicken
For Panko Topping:
- 1 Tablespoon (14 g) butter
- ½ Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup (30 g) seasoned panko crumbs
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a 1.5qt round baking dish or 9×9 square baking dish with butter.
- Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions.8 oz (230 g) dry macaroni noodles (I used Cellentani noodles)
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once it has melted, add flour and stir until smooth.3 Tablespoons (42 g) butter, 3 Tablespoons (24 g) flour
- Add milk and spices, stir well and bring to a boil.2 cups (475 ml) milk, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- Once mixture begins to boil, reduce heat, bring to a simmer, and stir frequently until it is slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Stir until cheeses are melted and mixture is smooth.4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, 1 ½ cup (170 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 cup (115 g) sharp shredded cheddar cheese, ⅓ cup (80 g) sour cream
- Add hot sauce and stir.½ cup (120 ml) buffalo hot sauce
- Add shredded chicken and cooked, drained pasta noodles and stir until well coated by the sauce.1 ½ cups (200 g) shredded chicken
- Pour into prepared baking dish and prepare your Panko topping.
Panko Topping
- Combine butter and olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat, stirring occasionally, until melted.1 Tablespoon (14 g) butter, ½ Tablespoon olive oil
- Add panko and stir well until the butter and oil has been mostly absorbed. Continue to stir until panko is lightly toasted and turns a light-medium brown color½ cup (30 g) seasoned panko crumbs
- Use a spoon to sprinkle over prepared buffalo chicken mac and cheese
- Transfer to oven and bake on 350F (175C) for 15 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Recipe originally published August 2017. Recipe remains the same but text has been updated to be more helpful.
Travis Pritchett
I’ve made this multiple times and absolutely LOVE it!!
Only thing I changed was the Panko. Instead of Panko, I used Jalapeno Cheddar Doritos that i crushed in a ziplock before putting on top. OH MY GOD!! so good 😛
Making it for a poker game tonight, I’m sure it is going to go over very well 🙂
Thanks for the great recipe!
Sugar Spun Run
Travis, I love the sound of the crush Doritos on top! I am so glad that you enjoyed the Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe and I hope it is a hit among your friends tonight. 🙂
Travis Pritchett
It’s been 2 years and this is still a hit 😛 still using the Jalepeno topper too. It’s a great addition with a little kick :). I’ll be making this for super bowl celebrations tonight!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy to hear that you’re still enjoying it, Travis! 🙂
Michelle
I made this with an already prepared whole, roasted chicken. It is absolutely delicious! The panko, as usual, is so perfect on the top. So, so good!!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Michelle! I am glad that you enjoyed the buffalo mac and cheese. 🙂
Amber Corpe
I am planning on making this for a mac and cheese competition at work, which will mean I’ll put it in a crockpot. Do you have any recommendation for how to do this in a crockpot?
thanks!
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Amber! I have never made this completely in the crockpot before. I recommend following the recipe as indicated and then transferring it to the crockpot to keep warm. I hope that your coworkers enjoy the buffalo chicken mac and cheese! Let me know how the competition turns out. Good Luck! 🙂
Amber Corpe
Won the competition! Thanks so much! A few people asked for the recipe too. I didn’t add the panko on top since I did it in a crockpot, but it was a huge success!
Sugar Spun Run
That is awesome, Amber! Congrats on your award-winning mac and cheese. I am so glad everyone enjoyed it. 🙂
April
I’m a huge picky Buffalonian over here but I have made this recipe for so many people here in Buffalo, N.Y. and we always eat it all so I always double the recipe!!!! I do add a little bit of crumbled blue cheese because that’s what we do here and I use half extra sharp cheddar and half mozzarella because we love the sharpest cheese and just scale it back w the mozzarella. Absolutely awesome and sometimes I just add a few sprinkles of finely chopped celery and carrots in the food processor 😍
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you much, April! I am glad that you enjoyed the buffalo chicken mac and cheese. I love the additional blue cheese crumbles and the idea of chopped carrots & celery. 🙂
Becca
I made this recipe exactly how it says aside from the chicken. I got my crockpot out and cooked it in half hot sauce, and half garlic chili hot sauce with some seasonings. Then shredded that all up! Since I did that, I only used a little under half the hot sauce that the actual cheese itself calls for. It turned out absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the mac and cheese so much, Becca! 🙂
Marie Lawton
Oh my gosh it was so good (just had some for breakfast because I couldn’t wait until lunch!). I followed the recipe to a T except I doubled everything. Now my son is an expert and very picky about Mac + Cheese recipes and he loved it. He did suggest next time I add more shredded cheeses. I must mention if your sauce ends up like a big blob with lots of strings, don’t panic. Continue to stir and stir over a slightly higher heat until all the strings go away and your sauce is as smooth as a fancy French sauce. This sauce is perfect as it is, don’t tweet it unless you add more cheese.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so happy that everyone enjoyed the buffalo mac and cheese, Marie! Extra cheese to anything is always welcome. Enjoy! 🙂
Marie Lawton
Could you please come up with a dip recipe with the ingredients for the sauce? Or where else could I use it? It is so good. Perhaps over chicken breast? Please please come up with other recipes using the same sauce but on something other than macaroni pasta. Thank you.
Abby S
I made this for a pasta cook-off and you got me first place! Thank you!!!!
Sugar Spun Run
That is awesome! Congrats, Abby! I am so happy that the Buffalo Mac and Cheese was award-winning and loved by all. 🙂
Jeannie
This looks great. Trying to find things I can make and send back with my college student. Can this be frozen before baking it?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Jeanie! I have had others freeze it and have had success. I hope that they enjoy it! 🙂
Michelle
Amazing! Just 👏 freaking 👏 AMAZING! 10 out of 5 stars!
Sugar Spun Run
Michelle, thank you so much! I am so glad to hear that you loved the buffalo mac and cheese! 🙂
Amanda
My boyfriend and I have made this recipe quite a few times now, and it’s always a huge hit with us and with everyone who’s tried it! Will definitely continue to make it!
Sam
Hi Amanda! I am so glad everyone enjoys the buffalo chicken mac and cheese so much! I hope you enjoy it for years to come. 🙂
Armando
Everytime I make this, my family loves it. Thank you for the recipe🙂
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoys it so much, Armando! 🙂
Korri M.
Honestly my family cannot get enough of this! It is delicious! I’ve learned to prep all the ingredients beforehand which is a time saver & much easier!
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoys it so much, Korri! 🙂
Michele
I made this last night and it was perfect! My very finicky son had two huge helpings! I will definitely make this again.
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed the mac and cheese Michele! 🙂
Jen
This recipe was a huge hit in my home. My family keeps asking me to make it again. I doubled the recipe (I feed teenage Jr. hockey players) and they couldn’t get enough. Only change i made was that i did not double the buffalo hot sauce because i was worried it would be to hot for my younger daughter so I did 1 1/2 and it was perfect. This recipe is a definite keeper!
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed the Mac and Cheese, Jen! 🙂
Stephanie
I am so sorry, but this recipe is just awful! I used the video …had a helper…and followed it to the letter. The cheese is too thick… it isn’t creamy, it is sticky! It was one of the worst things I’ve ever eaten. We threw the batch away, and I went back to my own simple, 3 step, 3 ingredient cheese sauce recipe.
Sam
I’m disappointed to hear it didn’t turn out for you. 🙁