Get ready to set your taste buds on fire with the ultimate comfort food mashup that will have everyone begging for seconds! Imagine the creamy, cheesy goodness of classic mac and cheese colliding with the bold, spicy kick of buffalo chicken - this Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese is about to become your new obsession. Perfect for game day, weeknight dinners, or when you're craving something spectacularly delicious, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that'll make you the culinary hero of your household.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cream cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 2 cups of cooked shredded chicken, 1 cup of buffalo sauce, 2 cups of elbow macaroni, 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 4 cups of chicken broth, 1 cup of cream cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce.
- In your crockpot, pour in the 4 cups of chicken broth. This will serve as the cooking liquid for the macaroni.
- Add the 2 cups of elbow macaroni to the crockpot, stirring gently to combine it with the chicken broth.
- Next, add the buffalo chicken mixture to the crockpot, ensuring that it is evenly distributed throughout the macaroni and broth.
- Take the 1 cup of cream cheese and cut it into small cubes. Add these cubes to the crockpot, allowing them to melt and blend into the mixture as it cooks.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 2 hours. This will allow the macaroni to cook and absorb the flavors from the chicken and buffalo sauce.
- After 2 hours, check the macaroni for doneness. It should be tender and cooked through. If it needs more time, continue cooking for an additional 15-30 minutes.
- Once the macaroni is cooked, add the 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese to the crockpot. Stir well to incorporate the cheese into the mixture.
- Cover the crockpot again and let it cook on low for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and creamy.
- After the cheese has melted, give the macaroni and cheese a final stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Once everything is well combined and creamy, serve the Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese hot. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Tips
- Use pre-cooked chicken to save time, but ensure it's shredded finely for even distribution.
- Adjust buffalo sauce quantity based on your spice tolerance - start with less and add more if needed.
- For extra creaminess, use full-fat cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese.
- Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent macaroni from sticking to the bottom of the crockpot.
- If the mixture seems too dry, add a little extra chicken broth during cooking.
- For added texture, consider topping with crispy bacon bits or green onions before serving.
- Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 407kcal
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 27g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 77mg
