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Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Saves The Day

By Courtney 42 Comments

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.

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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.

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Spending time with my favorite little cuddle buddy blog hacker.

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Relaxing on the couch with my non banana-bread eating hubby (even though he’s eating it NOW).

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And doing all of this after eating an amazing dinner of Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese.

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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.

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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.

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[print_this]

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:

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. 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! Smile

[/print_this]

*****

To keep things simple, I served our mac and cheese with some steamed snow peas that I found hiding out in the freezer.

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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.

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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? Winking smile

Question for the Evening:

What are some of your favorite ways to de-stress when you’re frustrated?

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August 23, 2011 Filed Under: Dinner, Recipes Tagged With: buffalo chicken mac and cheese, recipe

About Courtney

I'm a working mom of two beautiful little boys, Lucas and Alex, and I began writing Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life in April 2010. I enjoy chronicling my love of food (healthy and indulgent!), baking, motherhood, fitness, fashion, and everything in between!

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Comments

  1. Lauren @ Fun, Fit and FAbulous says

    August 23, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    I love going for runs whn I am super stressed or I go into super crazy cleaning mode! :)
    Reply
  2. Mallory @ It's Only Life says

    August 23, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    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.
    Reply
  3. Lauren says

    August 23, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    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! :)
    Reply
  4. Corey @ Family Fresh Meals says

    August 23, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    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!
    Reply
  5. Lindsay@ In Sweetness and In Health says

    August 23, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    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!
    Reply
  6. Lyndsi @ Lyndsi and David says

    August 23, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    That looks delish! I usually clean or organize when I'm frustrated -- exerting energy always helps :)
    Reply
  7. Lauren says

    August 23, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    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!
    Reply
  8. Lindsay says

    August 23, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    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!
    Reply
  9. Alicia says

    August 23, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    Yum! This looks great!!
    Reply
  10. Amanda says

    August 23, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    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! :)
    Reply
  11. Kelly @ Not So Rocky Road says

    August 23, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    That looks and sounds awesome! Puts you in mind of buffalo chicken dip. You can't go wrong with Frank's!!
    Reply
  12. Lily says

    August 23, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    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!
    Reply
  13. Maria@La_Piattini says

    August 23, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    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.
    Reply
  14. Ashley@MyFoodNFitnessDiaries says

    August 23, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    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? ;)
    Reply
  15. colleen @ thegiftofmondays says

    August 23, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    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 :(
    Reply
  16. Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says

    August 23, 2011 at 9:30 pm

    My boyfriend Will: "I WANT THAT."
    Reply
  17. Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says

    August 23, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    My husband would LOVE this!!! ---My pages have been taking forever lately! Ugh. I may need some wine to help ;)
    Reply
  18. Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says

    August 23, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    Oh my goodness, this looks amazing! Definitely a man-pleaser, too! :-)
    Reply
  19. Colleen @ Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill says

    August 23, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    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!
    Reply
  20. Sarah @ Food and Love Diaries says

    August 23, 2011 at 10:22 pm

    Oh shoot... that looks seriously amazing.
    Reply
  21. Shari @ The Daily Dish says

    August 23, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    Definitely bookmarking this one! Looks awesome. :)
    Reply
  22. Lindsey says

    August 23, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    Have a bath and read a book or go running! That recipe looks awesome! I am adding it to my "to make" list!
    Reply
  23. Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says

    August 23, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    That looks so good! I like to workout or bake when I'm stressed!
    Reply
  24. Khushboo says

    August 24, 2011 at 12:38 am

    This looks delicious- love buffalo sauce! My runs are always amazing when I'm stressed out- a whole new level of energy!
    Reply
  25. Bianca @A Healthy Gourmet Lifestyle says

    August 24, 2011 at 12:47 am

    My boyfriend would love this, and he normally doesn't like pasta dishes.
    Reply
  26. Candice says

    August 24, 2011 at 1:11 am

    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?
    Reply
  27. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says

    August 24, 2011 at 2:14 am

    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.
    Reply
  28. Heather says

    August 24, 2011 at 4:58 am

    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.
    Reply
  29. Whitney says

    August 24, 2011 at 8:20 am

    A nice long RUN is my go to de-stresser. I always feel so good afterwards!!!
    Reply
  30. Nicole says

    August 24, 2011 at 8:36 am

    This looks incredible! I've been craving mac and cheese for weeks, and I think this just put me over the edge :)
    Reply
  31. Heather B says

    August 24, 2011 at 8:38 am

    Yum, that looks really good. Your page loaded quicker for me this time!
    Reply
  32. Hope says

    August 24, 2011 at 8:45 am

    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! :)
    Reply
  33. Samantha @ Running and Cupcakes says

    August 24, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    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!)
    Reply
  34. Becky @ Fit Chick on the Fly says

    August 24, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    This looks unbelievable I must try this ASAP! Anything that involes hot sauce goes straight to the top of my list!
    Reply
  35. Veronica (Run Write Repeat) says

    August 24, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    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?
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 24, 2011 at 2:52 pm

      Yup! It's called "Print This"
      Reply
  36. Amanda says

    August 24, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    YES i looooooove this recipe! so making it in the next week or two! YUM!!!
    Reply
  37. Tanya says

    November 1, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    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!
    Reply
  38. Maeve says

    September 18, 2012 at 11:06 am

    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
    Reply

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Sweet Tooth Sweet Life
Court Profile CircleI'm Courtney, a 30-something wife and working mom living in upstate NY. I'm a food lover, fitness enthusiast, baker extraordinaire and lover of all things sweet.
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