Just when you thought mac and cheese couldn't get any better, this crockpot buffalo chicken mac and cheese makes an appearance. If you love buffalo chicken dip and creamy mac and cheese, this easy recipe is for you!
It has the perfect amount of spice and a velvety rich and creamy mix of cheeses for the ultimate meal! Take your mac and cheese to the next level with this buffalo mac!
Check out this buffalo chicken pasta recipe for more spicy cheesy goodness! Also, you have to try this smoked mac and cheese recipe too!
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I take my mac and cheese very seriously! Some may even call me a mac and cheese snob. However, I love a fun twist on a classic meal. Especially when it's as easy as this crock pot mac n cheese recipe.
This recipe combines the best of everything - spicy buffalo sauce with cream cheese, shredded cheese, tender shredded chicken, and ranch dressing for the perfect comfort food. I also added a little bit of garlic and butter for extra flavor - what's a recipe without garlic?!
You literally place all of the ingredients in a slow cooker and call it a day! As everything cooks in the crock pot, it forms a creamy homemade cheese sauce that is utterly delicious. Then you add in some green onions and parsley on top? This one is a crowd pleaser that the whole family will adore!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- This recipe takes classic macaroni and cheese and makes it even better! It has a little heat, lots of cheese, and tons of flavor! Best of all, it's SO easy to make!
- This is a dump and go recipe! Just place everything in the crock pot slow cooker and call it a day!
- Whether you're going back to school or heading back into the office, this recipe is perfect for all busy schedules! Simply through everything in the crock pot slow cooker and pack your lunch in the portable Lunch Crock to keep it warm all day!
Ingredient Notes
Buffalo Wing Sauce: I used my favorite frank’s hot sauce but feel free to use whatever brand you prefer. The buffalo sauce adds a little kick of heat and gives the dish so much flavor!
Cheeses: I used cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and monterey jack cheese. This combo of cheeses really compliment the buffalo sauce and make for a nice and creamy cheese sauce for the mac. Also, this is heavily debated - blue cheese or ranch? Why not do both! I topped the mac with blue cheese crumbles, but of course if this isn't your thing, skip it.
Chicken: This recipe calls for rotisserie chicken. It's quick, easy, and a great way to save on cooking time when prepping dinner.
Ranch dressing: to make this, you'll need sour cream, dill, chives, parsley, onion powder, and garlic powder. Just mix it all together and throw in the crock pot! However, you can use ranch dressing from the grocery store if that's what you have on hand.
Substitutions
- Make this dish vegetarian by omitting the chicken and use vegetable stock as opposed to chicken stock!
- For a gluten free option, use gluten free pasta!
- To make this dairy free, swap out milk for your favorite plant based milk. Also, use your vegan ranch and your favorite vegan cheese instead of the cheeses listed!
Tips
- If you're using chicken breasts, cook the chicken in the slow cooker in chicken broth for 2 hours on high prior to adding the rest of the ingredients.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo wing sauce as per your taste buds. I'm a wimp when it comes to spice, so I only used ¾ cup of buffalo sauce, however use more if you want a spicier dish.
- Take this dish up a notch and add bacon bits and different kinds of cheese! Colby jack and parmesan would be a great option for this recipe too.
- You can use leftover chicken for this recipe, just be sure to remove any bones and shred the chicken before adding to the crock pot.
- If you prefer blue cheese dressing, you can use that in place of ranch.
- If your mac and cheese becomes a bit dry, add another cup of milk and stir together until milk is incorporated.
How to make the Best Buffalo Chicken Mac
You will not believe how easy this is to make. You'll have a complete meal in as easy as 1,2,3. Literally.
- First, chop up the rotisserie chicken and place in the crock pot slow cooker. Then add the buffalo sauce, garlic, melted butter, cheese, cream cheese, chicken broth, and milk. Then add seasonings and stir together.
- Secondly, set crock pot slow cooker to high heat and let it cook for 2 hours, then add noodles and cook for another hour, until macaroni is al dente. You whole kitchen will smell so good while it's cooking!
- Third, drizzle ranch dressing on top and garnish with green onions!
Then it's my favorite part, take a big bite of your spicy buffalo chicken mac and immediately be transported into a state of bliss!! I can promise that this will become one of your favorite mac and cheese recipes!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, this recipe has chicken. However, you can omit the chicken for a vegetarian option.
Cheddar, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Gruyere are all amazing cheeses for mac and cheese.
Mac and cheese is best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes!
- Smoked Mac and Cheese
- Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
- Old Bay Lobster Mac and Cheese
- Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
- Creamed Spinach Mac and Cheese
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This blog post and recipe were made in partnership with CrockPot! My thoughts and opinions are genuine always. Thanks for your continued support!
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- Crockpot™ Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb Rotisserie Chicken , sliced
- 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese , shredded
- 2 cups Pepper Jack Cheese , shredded
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese , shredded
- ¾ cup Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup Butter , melted
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 2 tsps Dried Thyme
- 3 cloves Garlic , diced
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 2 tsp Parsley
- 8 oz Cream Cheese , room temperature
- 16 oz Cavatappi Noodles , or your favorite noodles of choice
- ½ cup Ranch Dressing
- Blue Cheese Crumbles , optional
Directions
- Add chicken, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, mozzarella cheese, buffalo sauce, melted butter, milk, and chicken broth to a slow cooker. Stir together.
- Then add thyme, diced garlic, onion powder, and parsley. Stir together. Use your hands to break apart the cream cheese into chunks and add to the slow cooker mixture.
- Set slow cooker to high and cook for 2 hours.
- Add noodles into the slow cooker and continue to cook on high for 1- 1.5 hours, until noodles are completely cooked, stirring occasionally. If mac and cheese becomes dry, add another cup of milk.
- Drizzle ranch dressing on top as well as additional hot sauce and blue cheese crumbles, optional.
Notes
- Make this dish vegetarian by omitting the chicken and use vegetable stock as opposed to chicken stock!
- For a gluten free option, use gluten free pasta!
- To make this dairy free, swap out milk for your favorite plant based milk. Also, use your vegan ranch and your favorite vegan cheese instead of the cheeses listed!
- If you're using chicken breasts, cook the chicken in the slow cooker in chicken broth for 2 hours on high prior to adding the rest of the ingredients.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo wing sauce as per your taste buds. I'm a wimp when it comes to spice, so I only used ½ cup of buffalo sauce, however use more if you want a spicier dish.
- Take this dish up a notch and add bacon bits and different kinds of cheese! Colby jack and parmesan would be a great option for this recipe too.
- You can use leftover chicken for this recipe, just be sure to remove any bones and shred the chicken before adding to the crock pot.
- If you prefer blue cheese dressing, you can use that in place of ranch.
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