Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
If you love buffalo chicken dip and creamy mac and cheese, this Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese is about to become your new favorite comfort food dinner. It is creamy, cheesy, packed with tender shredded chicken, and loaded with bold buffalo flavor, all made easily in the slow cooker.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, game days, potlucks, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing dinner with minimal effort. The slow cooker does most of the work, and the end result is rich, creamy pasta coated in a velvety buffalo cheese sauce with juicy shredded chicken in every bite.
The best part? It tastes like something from a restaurant, but it is incredibly easy to make at home.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
- Easy slow cooker recipe
- Ultra creamy and cheesy
- Packed with protein
- Perfect comfort food dinner
- Great for parties and game day
- Family friendly with mild buffalo sauce
- Minimal prep required
This recipe combines everything people love about buffalo chicken wings with the cozy comfort of homemade mac and cheese.
Ingredients You Need
For the Buffalo Chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Cream cheese
- Mild buffalo wing sauce
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Butter
For the Mac & Cheese
- Heavy cream
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Elbow macaroni
The combination of mozzarella and cheddar creates the perfect creamy, melty cheese sauce that balances the buffalo flavor without becoming overpowering.
How to Make Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
Step 1: Add Everything to the Slow Cooker
Place the chicken breasts into the crockpot and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the cream cheese on top, chunk the butter up, and add it on top, then pour the buffalo sauce over everything.
As it cooks, the cream cheese melts into the sauce, creating an incredibly rich and creamy base.
Step 2: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cook until the chicken is perfectly tender and easy to shred. The buffalo sauce infuses the chicken with flavor while keeping it juicy.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken
Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot and stir it into the creamy buffalo sauce.
Step 4: Add the Cheese and Pasta
Stir in the heavy cream, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Then fold in the cooked macaroni until every noodle is coated in the cheesy buffalo sauce.
Let everything sit for a few minutes on warm so the sauce thickens and clings perfectly to the pasta.
Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
- Cook Pasta Separately: Cooking the macaroni separately keeps it from becoming mushy in the slow cooker.
- Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and creates a creamier sauce.
- Adjust the Heat Level: Use mild buffalo sauce for a family-friendly version or medium/hot sauce if you like extra spice.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Chicken breasts can dry out if cooked too long, so shred them once they are tender.
Delicious Topping Ideas
Take this buffalo chicken mac and cheese to the next level with fun toppings:
- Crumbled bacon
- Green onions
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Ranch drizzle
- Crispy fried onions
- Crushed crackers
- Jalapeños
- Extra buffalo sauce
Adding crunchy toppings creates the perfect contrast to the creamy pasta.
Variations
- Make it Spicier- Add cayenne pepper, diced jalapeños, or extra buffalo sauce.
- Use Rotisserie Chicken- Shortcut the recipe by stirring shredded rotisserie chicken into the sauce before adding the pasta.
- Try Different Pasta Shapes- Shells, cavatappi, or rotini all work great in this recipe.
- Add Veggies- Stir in broccoli, spinach, or diced celery for extra texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make buffalo chicken mac and cheese ahead of time?
Yes! Store it in the refrigerator and reheat with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
How long does it last in the fridge?
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze it?
You can freeze it, though creamy pasta dishes may separate slightly when reheated. Stirring in a little milk helps restore the texture.
Is this recipe spicy?
Using mild buffalo sauce keeps the heat level manageable, but you can easily increase or decrease the spice.
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts large (about 2 lbs)
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 16 ounces mild buffalo wing sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 pound elbow macaroni cooked
- 1/2-1 cup Chicken stock to thin to desired consistency
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder over the chicken.
- Add the cream cheese on top of the chicken, and dot with butter.
- Pour the buffalo wing sauce over everything.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 2½ to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender, and cooked through.
- Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot and stir everything together.
- Add the heavy cream, mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese. Stir until melted and creamy. Add a little chicken stock to thin it to your desired consistency.
- Add the cooked macaroni and stir until fully coated in the sauce.
- Let sit on warm for about 10 minutes to thicken before serving.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
Want to use this recipe in a meal plan?Try PrePear, my FREE Meal Planning App that allows you to save your recipes, plan meals, shop for groceries, and cook simply in one place. Join Here!
Leave a Reply