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Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

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4 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy, and spicy comfort food dish that combines tender shredded chicken, classic mac and cheese, and a kick of buffalo sauce. Perfect for an easy, hands-off meal, it’s cooked low and slow in the crockpot, making it ideal for busy days or casual get-togethers.

Ingredients

Protein & Sauce

  • 1 pound cooked shredded chicken
  • 1 packet dry ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (add more for extra heat)

Dairy & Cheese

  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/4 cups yellow cheddar cheese
  • 4 ounces cream cheese

Pasta

  • 12 ounces elbow pasta

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil the elbow pasta until al dente, then rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside to prevent sticking.
  2. Make Slurry: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and flour to create a slurry. This mixture will help thicken the sauce in the crockpot.
  3. Combine Ingredients: Place the shredded chicken, dry ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, milk, butter-flour slurry, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese into the crockpot. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
  4. Crockpot Cooking: Cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours or on high heat for 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt completely.
  5. Add Pasta & Warm: After the cooking time, add the cooked pasta to the crockpot and stir well to coat the pasta with the cheesy buffalo sauce. Set the crockpot to warm and leave it for 20-30 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb the flavors.
  6. Final Taste & Serve: Taste the dish and add additional buffalo sauce if desired for more heat. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, spicy buffalo chicken mac and cheese.

Notes

  • Use cooked chicken ahead of time or rotisserie chicken to save time.
  • Adjust buffalo sauce quantity based on your preferred spice level.
  • Rinsing pasta with cold water prevents it from overcooking and clumping.
  • This dish can be kept warm in the crockpot for up to an hour without drying out.
  • For a richer flavor, use whole milk or add a splash of heavy cream.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/crockpot-buffalo-chicken-mac-and-cheese-recipe/