Buffalo-Chicken Macaroni and Cheese

By

Courtesy Food Network Magazine

  • 6
  • 30 mins
  • 75 mins

Ingredients

  • 7tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
  • Kosher salt
  • 1pound elbow macaroni
  • 1small onion, finely chopped
  • 2stalks celery, finely chopped
  • 3cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 2cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4cup hot sauce (preferably Frank's)
  • 2tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2teaspoons dry mustard
  • 2 1/2cups half-and-half
  • 1pound yellow sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 1/2 cups)
  • 8ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
  • 2/3cup sour cream
  • 1cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 1/2cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 2tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken and garlic and cook 2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup hot sauce and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 more minute.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and mustard with a wooden spoon until smooth. Whisk in the half-and-half, then add the remaining 1/4 cup hot sauce and stir until thick, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, then whisk in the sour cream until smooth.

Spread half of the macaroni in the prepared baking dish, then top with the chicken mixture and the remaining macaroni. Pour the cheese sauce evenly on top.

Put the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted. Stir in the panko, blue cheese and parsley. Sprinkle over the macaroni and bake until bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Photograph by Con Poulos