Description

This Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese is a flavorful, meal prep-friendly dish combining tender shredded chicken, creamy cheddar and cottage cheese sauce, and a spicy buffalo kick. Perfectly comforting yet protein-packed, this recipe comes together quickly using simple stovetop methods and can be customized with low-carb pasta alternatives or optional toppings for added flair.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
6 oz elbow macaroni (or cooked cauliflower for low-carb option)
3/4 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/3 cup buffalo hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk or low-fat milk

Optional Toppings

Sliced green onions
Crumbled blue cheese
Additional buffalo sauce drizzle

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Instructions

Cook pasta: Prepare the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly. If using cauliflower, ensure it is cooked and drained.
Blend the sauce: In a blender, combine the low-fat cottage cheese, unsweetened almond milk (or low-fat milk), buffalo hot sauce, and ranch seasoning mix. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring an even sauce consistency.
Heat it up: Pour the blended sauce into a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously as you add the shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt fully and create a creamy texture.
Combine: Add the cooked shredded chicken and the prepared pasta (or cauliflower) to the sauce. Stir thoroughly until all components are coated evenly and the dish is heated through.
Serve or store: Divide the Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese into meal prep containers or serve immediately. Garnish with optional toppings like sliced green onions, crumbled blue cheese, or an extra drizzle of buffalo sauce to taste.

Notes

For a low-carb variation, substitute elbow macaroni with cooked cauliflower florets.
Use reduced-fat cheese options to keep the dish lighter without sacrificing creaminess.
Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spice level according to preference.
Meal prep containers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated in the microwave.
Adding optional toppings like blue cheese or green onions adds extra flavor and texture contrast.