Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Buffalo chicken dip is practically its own food category in my house, especially during football season. Slow cooker buffalo chicken dip, smoked buffalo chicken dip, and grilled buffalo chicken dip are all in regular rotation. While I’ve certainly enjoyed some dip and chips for lunch on occasion, I wanted to figure out a way to enjoy those flavors we love so much as an actual meal.

Enter this buffalo chicken mac and cheese. It’s a beautiful combination of macaroni and cheese and buffalo dip. It’s made with all the classic dip ingredients, from the ranch dressing and wing sauce to the tender shredded chicken, plus the pasta and lots of cheese. Then it’s baked to creamy, cheesy perfection. Just like the dip, it’s a crowd-favorite that’s almost impossible to stop eating.

The best part? It’s ready in 30 minutes with just 6 primary ingredients!

Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

• Inspired by the dip. This mac and cheese has all the elements of classic buffalo chicken dip – a cream cheese base, ranch dressing, buffalo wing sauce, and rotisserie chicken. It’s basically like the dip tossed with pasta and baked. So good!
• Beyond easy to make. I’m not sure if there’s a mac and cheese recipe out there easier than this one. All you need to do is cook the pasta, combine the ingredients, and pop it in the oven. It’s ready in 30 minutes, with just a few minutes of prep.
• That spicy buffalo wing flavor. When I’m craving buffalo wings but not the mess that comes with them, I turn to this buffalo chicken mac and cheese. The buffalo wing sauce is the star of the show, so every bite is filled with that classic wing flavor. It’s great for game day!

Ingredients You’ll Need & Why

There are just 6 main ingredients in this buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese! Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the exact measurements.

• Cream cheese – Be sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
• Ranch dressing – The ranch helps balance the heat of the wing sauce. I love Lighthouse but any brand of ranch works.
• Buffalo wing sauce – I’m a Frank’s wing sauce person, but use your favorite! This is probably the most important ingredient regarding the flavor of the dish, so be sure to use one that you love.
• Rotisserie – While you can always boil or sauté chicken for this recipe, I like to keep things easy by using rotisserie chicken.
• Shredded cheese – I used a combination of mozzarella and cheddar to add depth to the flavor of the mac and cheese.
• Pasta – Any short pasta noodles work, such as rigatoni, penne, or macaroni.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Making this recipe is really as easy as 1-2-3! (The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.)

• Cook the noodles. Preheat the oven to 375F. While the oven is preheating, cook the noodles to al dente according to the package instructions.
• Combine the ingredients. Mix the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce until smooth and creamy. Fold in the shredded chicken, half of each cheese, and the cooked noodles.
• Bake. Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese and a sprinkle of paprika. Bake for 20 minutes.

Recipe Tips & Modifications

Ready to dive in and make this buffalo chicken mac and cheese recipe?! Here are a couple of things to consider.

• Softened cream cheese. The cream cheese should be softer than room temperature when starting this recipe. Otherwise, the sauce will take longer to mix and may be lumpy. If you forgot to pull it from the fridge and are short on time, you can also cut it into cubes and microwave it on a plate in 20 second increments.
• Adjust the heat level. Buffalo chicken mac and cheese will be as spicy as you make it, based on the wing sauce used. For less heat, use a mild wing sauce. For extra heat, use a hot wing sauce.
• Shred your own cheese. While pre-shredded cheese is quick and convenient, shredding your own cheese from the block is ideal for this recipe. It won’t have the anti-caking agent, which will allow it to melt more easily and more smoothly, resulting in the best cheese pulls in the sauce.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

• Fridge: Store any leftover buffalo chicken mac and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy within 3-4 days.
• Reheat. Individual servings of this mac and cheese can be reheated in the microwave. To reheat the baking dish, cover it with foil and pop it in the oven at 350F until heated through.

What Goes With Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

When serving, I like to sprinkle some green onions on top, along with an extra drizzle of ranch dressing. Feel free to use blue cheese if that’s your preference!

I typically serve this with something green, like a side salad or steamed broccoli to make a balanced meal.

Looking For More Pasta Recipes?

• Feta Tomato Pasta with Salmon
• Taco Mac and Cheese
• Better Than Olive Garden’s Chicken Alfredo
• Creamy Tuscan Pasta