Tips: Improve your buffalo chicken mac and cheese
We have a few tips that will help make this dish even more delicious and convenient. Take a look below to learn more.
Cooking chicken
To ensure the chicken is both safe and delicious, cook it until the juices run clear, but it is still juicy inside. Overcooked chicken can become tough and chewy. The exact cooking time depends on the thickness of the chicken. To check if it is done, you can insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast. It is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 74 °C. Once cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, ensuring that your chicken is juicy.
Great for meal prep
Buffalo chicken mac and cheese is excellent for meal prep. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. When ready to eat, reheat it in the microwave, perhaps with a splash of milk to keep it moist and creamy. Always use an airtight container for storage to maintain freshness.
Cook a delicious buffalo chicken mac and cheese
We have given the classic mac and cheese a makeover. By incorporating tender chicken seasoned with Buffalo spice, it strikes a delightful balance between spicy and creamy with a sprinkle of spring onions. Now, mac and cheese is very easy to make and this recipe is no different. Our buffalo chicken mac and cheese will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection. Once you have tried it, it will be hard to go back to the plain classic.
Tender and juicy chicken seasoned with buffalo spices
The chicken in our buffalo chicken mac and cheese is tender and full of flavor. The spicy seasoning adds a nice kick, giving the chicken a bold flavor that complements the creamy macaroni pasta. Buffalo seasoning usually consists of a blend of spices, including cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and sometimes chili powder. This combination not only brings heat but also adds a rich, tangy depth that makes the chicken even tastier.
Creamy béchamel sauce with mozzarella and tomato puree
The béchamel sauce, combined with mozzarella and tomato purée, is what makes this dish so inviting. It coats the pasta thoroughly, offering a creamy, gooey texture that pairs wonderfully with the spicy chicken. The mozzarella brings a mild, stretchy quality, while the tomato purée adds just enough tang to balance the flavors. This creamy mixture ensures richness and keeps the spicy notes of the buffalo seasoning in check.
For more mac and cheese recipes, try our baked mac and cheese, fried mac and cheese balls, chicken mac and cheese, and mac and cheese with butter chicken.
Serve with light and fresh sides
As buffalo chicken mac and cheese is very rich and creamy, we recommend pairing it with lighter and refreshing sides. A crisp salad with a light dressing or steamed green vegetables are great companions. They add freshness and a bit of crunch, providing a nice contrast. You can also try garlic bread, which is great for scooping up any creamy remains of the sauce that envelopes the pasta and chicken. It offers a fragrant, buttery component to your meal.
Put a spin on the recipe
Consider trying different cheeses, like a sharp cheddar or a smoky Gouda. Cheddar has a more distinct and mature flavor that melts really well. Gouda, especially when smoked, offers a rich, buttery, and slightly sweet flavor.
If you have the time, marinate your chicken breast fillets in a mix of buffalo seasoning and oil before cooking. This process tenderizes the chicken even more while allowing the flavor of the seasoning to become more pronounced.
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