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Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese

Ashley Manila
Loaded with shredded rotisserie chicken, buffalo sauce, bacon, and the most delicious cheese sauce, this is the ultimate buffalo chicken mac and cheese recipe! Serve with plenty of napkins and extra hot sauce!
4.50 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 9x13-inch pan

Ingredients
 

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pound (454g) elbow macaroni
  • (1) 8 ounce package (227g) sliced bacon
  • 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 small yellow onion finely diced
  • 2 stalks celery finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups (681ml) milk
  • 1 cup (227ml) buffalo-style hot sauce
  • 1 cup (227ml) heavy cream
  • 1 pound (454g) sharp cheddar cheese grated
  • 1/4 pound (113g) pepper jack cheese grated
  • 4 ounces (113g) brick-style cream cheese cubed
  • 2 and 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1/2 cup (99g) crumbled blue cheese
  • 1/4 cup (50g) chopped scallions

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the salt and the macaroni and cook for 7 minutes. Drain and set aside. 
  • In a large skillet over medium-heat, cook the bacon until crispy on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from heat and place on a paper towel lined plate. Blot any excess oil with a paper towel, then chop into bits (not too small but bite-sized). Set aside. 
  • In the meantime, in a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-heat. Add in the onion and celery cook, stirring frequently, for 6 minutes, or until softened and nearly translucent.
  • Add in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, or until fragrant.
  • Sprinkle in the flour, and whisking constantly, cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the buffalo sauce and milk, whisking constantly as you add. Cook over medium-high heat, whisking almost constantly, until the mixture bubbles up and thickens, about 5 to 6 minutes.
  •  Reduce the heat to low and slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Then stir in the cheddar cheese, pepper jack, cream cheese, and half of the blue cheese. 
  • Fold in the pasta and 2 cups of the shredded chicken and mix well. Cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat, top with remaining chicken, blue cheese, and bacon. Sprinkle with scallions and serve warm.
Keyword macaroni and cheese, mac and cheese, chicken, buffalo mac and cheese
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