Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

This Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese is a creamy, spicy dream for heat lovers. Tender pasta is tossed in a luscious cheese sauce made with garlic, heavy cream, buffalo sauce, and a blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan. Bite-sized chicken—grilled or fried—is coated in extra buffalo sauce and folded in for a bold, savory kick. Finished with a broiled cheese crust and more Parmesan, this one-pot comfort food delivers flavor, texture, and indulgence in every bite.

Author: These Carbs Don't Count

Category: Pasta

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: MEDIUM

Prep. Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 3 bowls

Calories: 1,275 kcal per serving

Ingredients

½ pound - pasta
3 tablespoon - butter
1 tablespoon - olive oil
3 cloves - garlic
1 ½ cup - heavy cream
¾ cup - buffalo sauce
1 teaspoon - salt
½ teaspoon - black pepper
½ teaspoon - garlic powder
½ teaspoon - onion powder
½ teaspoon - dried parsley
1 cup - mozzarella cheese
1 cup - cheddar cheese
½ cup - Parmesan cheese
2 cup - chicken
⅛ - Reserved pasta water

Instructions

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
In a large pan over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer.
Add buffalo sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. Whisk together and simmer briefly.
Stir in mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses until a silky sauce forms.
Coat chicken pieces in extra buffalo sauce.
Add cooked pasta, buffalo chicken, and a splash of pasta water to the sauce. Stir to combine.
Top with more cheese and broil for 5 minutes or until lightly browned.
Garnish with extra Parmesan and serve hot.