High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
This High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a flavorful, creamy comfort food dish made with tender spiced chicken breast, chickpea pasta, and a cheesy buffalo sauce blend. It’s perfect for a protein-packed dinner that combines the zest of buffalo wings with the indulgence of classic mac and cheese, while being gluten free and loaded with muscle-friendly protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-5 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 tsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Buffalo Mac and Cheese:
- 8 oz cavatappi pasta (preferably Banza chickpea pasta)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp gluten free 1-to-1 flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 2 cups milk (2% or whole), at room temperature
- 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (4 oz)
- ½ cup freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese (2 oz)
- 1 cup 4% cottage cheese, at room temperature
- ⅓ cup buffalo wing sauce
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Kosher salt & black pepper, to taste
For Topping (Optional):
- Ranch dressing
- Chopped green onion
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the cubed chicken breast with smoked paprika, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper until evenly coated. Set aside to marinate slightly.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and heavily season with kosher salt. Add the cavatappi pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve at least ¼ cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the olive oil to coat. Spread the seasoned chicken evenly in the pan without overlapping. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for another 2 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Prepare buffalo cottage cheese sauce: In a small blender or food processor, blend the room temperature cottage cheese, buffalo wing sauce, and 3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until smooth. Add more pasta water if needed to reach a creamy consistency.
- Make the cheese sauce base: Return the pan to medium heat and melt the butter. Whisk in the gluten free flour and cook for about 1 minute until lightly bubbling. Slowly add the milk a few tablespoons at a time, whisking well after each addition. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 2 minutes.
- Incorporate seasonings and cheeses: Reduce heat to low, then whisk in onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and whisk until fully melted and smooth.
- Combine sauces, pasta, and chicken: Pour in the blended buffalo cottage cheese mixture and whisk to combine evenly. Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the pan, stirring gently to coat everything thoroughly with the sauce.
- Serve: Plate the buffalo chicken mac and cheese and top with optional ranch dressing, chopped green onion, and freshly cracked black pepper if desired. Enjoy immediately while warm.
Notes
- This recipe is very saucy; if you prefer a less saucy texture, increase the pasta amount to 12 oz instead of 8 oz.
- The nutrition info is estimated for 5 servings using chickpea pasta, 2% milk, and 4% cottage cheese.
- Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Using room temperature dairy ingredients like milk and cottage cheese helps in creating a smooth, lump-free sauce.
- This dish can be customized by swapping Buffalo wing sauce for a milder hot sauce if preferred.
Keywords: buffalo chicken, Buffalo Sauce, Cheese, Chicken Breast, Chickpea Pasta, Cottage Cheese, Game Day Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthy Comfort Food, High Protein, Mac and Cheese, pasta
