If you are here reading tonight’s post, then I must first begin by saying thank you, since it probably took forever for the page to upload. I’m still in the process of trying to figure out what in the world is going on with the blog, so I sincerely apologize for the extremely slowness that is most likely occurring on your end.
If there is anyone super tech-savvy out there that thinks they might have a clue, feel free to let me know because I’m about *this close* to pulling my hair out.
Thankfully, I’ve had a few things to help keep me sane this evening…
Like finishing off the last of my $3.99 bottle of wine.
Spending time with my favorite little cuddle buddy blog hacker.
Relaxing on the couch with my non banana-bread eating hubby (even though he’s eating it NOW).
And doing all of this after eating an amazing dinner of Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese.
Oh yes, I did it. I got so fed up this afternoon with technology that I headed to the kitchen and let out all my frustrations at the stove.
Apparently, I should cook more often when I’m frustrated because tonight’s dinner was good. Real good. And it’s still semi-healthy, so I think you should try making this for yourself ASAP.
Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
(Recipe adapted from my Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch Mac & Cheese)
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 slices bacon
- 8 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/3 cup Frank’s Red Hot (Original or Buffalo – I used buffalo)
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (or 1/2 tbsp corn starch)
- 1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
- 1/3 cup condensed 98% fat-free cream of chicken soup, undiluted
- 3/4 cup shredded six-cheese Italian blend
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp dried dill
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
Directions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.
- Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings in pan. Finely chop bacon; set aside. Increase heat to medium-high. Add chicken to drippings in pan; sauté about 5 minutes, then add onion, celery, and hot sauce. Continue to sauté for another 3-4 minutes.
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; sprinkle flour (or cornstarch) evenly into pan. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk. Combine milk and soup, stirring with a whisk; gradually add milk mixture to saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick. Remove from heat; let stand 4 minutes or until sauce cools to 155°. Add Italian cheese blend, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, dill, and salt, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in pasta and chicken. Add additional hot sauce, if desired (I added about another 1/4 cup here).
- Preheat broiler. Spoon mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with reserved bacon and mozz/cheddar cheese. Broil 3-5 minutes or until cheese melts. ENJOY!
*****
To keep things simple, I served our mac and cheese with some steamed snow peas that I found hiding out in the freezer.
Now, most of you guys already know that I’m really not one for spicy foods, but this dish was well worth the extra fire that is still happening inside of my mouth right now.
I’m pretty excited about the fact that we have a ton of this still left…anyone want to come join me for lunch leftovers tomorrow? 
Question for the Evening:
What are some of your favorite ways to de-stress when you’re frustrated?
Welcome to Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life! I'm Courtney, a 28-year old personal trainer living in Upstate, NY. I enjoy all things related to food, fitness, and fashion, as well as feeding my huge sweet tooth. To find out a little bit more about the girl behind the blog, check out my 
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
I love going for runs whn I am super stressed or I go into super crazy cleaning mode!
Lauren @ Fun, Fit and FAbulous recently posted..Take Me Out To The Ball Game!
That looks awesome! Adding bacon pretty much makes everything a little better! Elbow macaroni are my favorite.
When I’m stressed, I bake! It really takes my mind off of everything. The sweet sugary aromas help too.
Mallory @ It’s Only Life recently posted..Awesome Almonds Giveaway
I’ve seen this recipe before and thought how perfect it would be to win any man’s heart. PS- You had me won over with the 4$ wine!
Lauren recently posted..Shake, Rattle, Roll
oh my that looks amazing! I am going to make that this weekend for our game night! Yum Yum. I love bacon so freaking much. I just did this candied bacon to top some cupcakes with. So yummy! http://familyfreshmeals.blogspot.com/2011/08/maple-candied-bacon-food-network.html
Wine and working out def help with frustration!
Corey @ Family Fresh Meals recently posted..Thai Garlic & Basil Chicken – optional vegetarian version included (Kiwi Mag)
Oh my gosh, that seriously looks fabulous! Mac and cheese is such a great comfort food
. I would totally come join you for lunch if I lived nearby!! Some of my favorite ways to de-stress are going for a walk, talking to my bf, watching something funny on tv or youtube, and drinking a glass of wine!
Lindsay@ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..Shopping Finds
That looks delish! I usually clean or organize when I’m frustrated — exerting energy always helps
Lyndsi @ Lyndsi and David recently posted..24
I would love to take you up on that offer but sadly, I don’t live anywhere near you!
Haha…guess I’ll have to make a veg version for myself!
Lauren recently posted..Earthquaaaaake!!
I am definitely a stress baker. And then my teeny tiny kitchen gets filled up with all sorts of baked goods that I can’t eat all at once. (I suppose I could, if I tried really hard.)
And if I lived nearby I would definitely love to join you for leftovers, that looks delicious and right up my alley. I love spicy foods and mac n’ cheese!
Lindsay recently posted..Back to School
Yum! This looks great!!
Alicia recently posted..How to get off the back pain train!
Yum…that mac and cheese looks delicious! A friend of mine makes buffalo chicken dip which I love!! I will have to try and make this mac and cheese.
When I’m stressed I go for a run, vent to friends, or eat some chocolate!
Amanda recently posted..Don’t you just love it when….
That looks and sounds awesome! Puts you in mind of buffalo chicken dip. You can’t go wrong with Frank’s!!
Kelly @ Not So Rocky Road recently posted..The True Meaning
Exercise is on of my favorite ways to destress! Today I was feeling a bit frazzled after work and I ran it out on the treadmill – felt so good after!
Oh wow. I’m like drooling over here that looks so good. I got Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza on the menu for the week but that is a must-try for next week.
Maria@La_Piattini recently posted..Trendy Tuesday: Shopping for Autumn
OH MY, that mac ‘n cheese looks wonderful! Definitely going to give that one a try.
My way of de stressing usually involves running my heart out or indulging in a bowl of ice cream. Quite the opposite, I know, but whatever works, right?
Ashley@MyFoodNFitnessDiaries recently posted..A “Weighty” Topic
my favorite way to de-stress is with a big bowl of ice cream. and then a second one. and if it’s a really bad day i just skip the bowl and eat it right out of the carton! yes, i am an emotional eater
colleen @ thegiftofmondays recently posted..it doesn’t matter what the world says about you
My boyfriend Will: “I WANT THAT.”
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance recently posted..Everybody, Meet Will
My husband would LOVE this!!! —My pages have been taking forever lately! Ugh. I may need some wine to help
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles recently posted..Work is fun!
Oh my goodness, this looks amazing! Definitely a man-pleaser, too!
My mom makes a very similar mac and cheese and it’s uh-mazing. I get stressed out very easily–especially things don’t go as planned. However, I have learned over the years that it is best to just take one thing at a time. I’ll often get overwhelmed when I have a lot on my plate, but if I just take a step back and look at the big picture, I can usually tackle the problem head on. I have also learned that taking time to myself really helps. Do something–like cooking–to get your mind off of your stressors!
Colleen @ Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill recently posted..A Mere $13 and Giveaway Winner
Oh shoot… that looks seriously amazing.
Sarah @ Food and Love Diaries recently posted..Back in New York
Definitely bookmarking this one! Looks awesome.
Have a bath and read a book or go running!
That recipe looks awesome! I am adding it to my “to make” list!
Lindsey recently posted..It’s A Hot One!
That looks so good! I like to workout or bake when I’m stressed!
Emily @ Perfection Isn’t Happy recently posted..Traveling for a Shower
This looks delicious- love buffalo sauce! My runs are always amazing when I’m stressed out- a whole new level of energy!
Khushboo recently posted..Best of all worlds
My boyfriend would love this, and he normally doesn’t like pasta dishes.
Bianca @A Healthy Gourmet Lifestyle recently posted..Spring in My Step
Courtney! That looks SO good! My husband even glanced over at the screen and said “oooh.. make that for dinner tomorrow! ”
Thanks for making that a easy decision.:)
ps. my end loaded just fine?
My husband is a mac n cheese fiend, he would love this!
Just curious- do you use a plugin for the recipe portion of the post? Wondering how you get the print this button and formatting of the recipe.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen recently posted..2 ingredient parmesan crisps
Your page loaded quickly for me!
When I’m stressed I tend to eat (but of course try NOT to do that!), cleaning or organizing is probably my number 2.
Heather recently posted..Why Viagra might not be enough…
A nice long RUN is my go to de-stresser. I always feel so good afterwards!!!
This looks incredible! I’ve been craving mac and cheese for weeks, and I think this just put me over the edge
Yum, that looks really good. Your page loaded quicker for me this time!
This looks amazing!!! I love buffalo chicken and macaroni and cheese so both together would be incredible! I am most definitely going to have to try this recipe!
Hope recently posted..I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet…
Wow, that looks amazing. I’ll be trying that ASAP.
Destressing – I usually take the dog for a walk, or go for a run. Sometimes I’ll crank the tunes and clean, or I’ll cook. Anything that I enjoy really gets me back into a better mood (not that I enjoy cleaning – but it’s a good place to take out pent up anger!)
Samantha @ Running and Cupcakes recently posted..With Every Failure Comes Success (Day 25)
This looks unbelievable I must try this ASAP! Anything that involes hot sauce goes straight to the top of my list!
Becky @ Fit Chick on the Fly recently posted..Things I Can’t Say NO to
that recipe seems amazing. will have to try it! also, how did you get the “print” fuction of the recipe, and the recipe box? love it! is it a plugin?
Veronica (Run Write Repeat) recently posted..Double Chocolate Chip Cookies – The Breakfast Of Champions
Yup! It’s called “Print This”
YES i looooooove this recipe! so making it in the next week or two! YUM!!!
Amanda recently posted..Back to Business
I just made this recipe last night with a few changes based on what I had in my fridge. It will definitely be a staple in my house! Thanks for the recipe!
I finally finally made this recipe! It was AMAZING! I think next time I would actually bake it instead of broiling though, it took a looong time to get the whole thing really hot all the way through. I was really impressed with how much cheesy flavor it had for so little cheese in the recipe
Maeve recently posted..Manhattan’s Secret Garden
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