High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a fun and flavorful twist on everyone’s favorite comfort food. A healthy-ish recipe for the whole family! Keep scrolling for the recipe.
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If I had to guess at the world’s favorite comfort food, then I’d go with macaroni and cheese. It’s cheesy, it’s creamy, and it’s hearty. Basically, it’s everything you could ever want in a comfort food. Oh, and the options for it are endless! For example: my Everything Bagel Macaroni and Cheese.
My buffalo chicken dip—whether it be the classic or the skinny version—is one of my most viral and top rated recipes. Now, we all know how I feel about any and all things pasta. I have an entire roundup of pasta dishes! It only seemed natural then, to combine the two and create this healthy(ish) comfort food dish that the entire family will love.
By using chickpea pasta, combined with the chicken and other ingredients in this recipe, it’s a high protein meal you’re going to want to make on repeat. No boring grilled chicken & steamed broccoli here!
Looking for other satisfying, high protein foods that aren’t boring? Then check out my High Protein Snacks Roundup.
High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a fun and flavorful twist on everyone’s favorite comfort food. A healthy-ish recipe for the whole family!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry chickpea pasta *
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour **
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 ounces regular or light cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons regular or light ranch dressing
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups cooked & shredded chicken
- fresh chopped green onion for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta as directed in salted water
- Start the cheese sauce by making a roux. In a deep large stovetop pan (or pot) melt butter on medium heat, then whisk in the flour, making sure to whisk out all clumps
- Whisk in milk until fully combined and roux is thickened. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder
- Next add cream cheese, hot sauce, yogurt and ranch dressing. Whisk until cream cheese melted and all ingredients combined
- Whisk in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted. Turn off heat
- Lastly add in chicken and cooked/drained pasta, and coat entirely in the cheese mixture. Serve immediately
Notes
* I like using a chickpea pasta to make this recipe even higher in protein, but any regular or gluten-free pasta will work fine. More notes on that below
** You can use all-purpose flour, or a 1:1 gluten-free flour to keep this recipe gluten-free
See below for more ingredient notes and substitution options
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This buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese is healthier comfort food at its finest. It is also great for meal prep, which I’m absolutely going to be doing when I go back to my higher protein style of eating post-pregnancy.
It is so rich and creamy with the delicious flavors of hot sauce, ranch, and of course cheese 😉 Plus you can have it ready in just about 30 minutes!
Ingredients and Substitutions for High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
What type of pasta should I use?
I like using elbow-shaped chickpea pasta or any bean-based pasta. Chickpea/bean-based pastas are not only higher in protein, but they’re also higher in fiber than regular pasta, and gluten-free.
You can also use your favorite regular pasta, or a different type of gluten-free pasta.
What type of hot sauce should I use?
My favorite is Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce, but any regular hot sauce will work just fine.
How do I make shredded chicken?
First of all, I love using a rotisserie chicken for this recipe. It is not only a great time-saving hack, but the rotisserie chicken has such a great, tender texture that makes it easier to shred.
If you make your own chicken, I’d recommend poaching it as that is easiest to shred.
Whether you make your own or use a rotisserie chicken, an easy trick to make shredded chicken is by using a hand mixer or stand mixer for 15-30 seconds on low setting.
How do I store Buffalo Chicken Macaroni & Cheese?
Keep stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. Simply reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
To add some greens:
An easy addition to this mac and cheese would be broccoli, which you can roast or steam separately, and then add before baking.
As always if you make this High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese or any of my other recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram @hungry.blonde so I can see how it turned out! xoxo GG
You might also like:
High Protein Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Bowl
Avocado Pesto Pasta
Creamy Tomato Pasta
Dairy-Free Spicy Rigatoni
This shit Bussin! changed the hot sauce for buffalo ranch sauce and added blue cheese dressing instead of ranch. Damn good