Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Prep Time:10 minutes Cook Time:20 minutes Total Time:30 minutes Servings: 6

Creamy mac and cheese with buffalo chicken sauce!

ingredients

1 pound pasta (gluten-free for gluten-free)
4 tablespoons butter
1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup carrot, diced
1 cup celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour (rice flour for gluten-free)
2 cups milk (or broth)
1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce (or to taste)*
2 cups sharp/old/aged cheddar cheese, shredded

directions

Start cooking the pasta as directed on the package.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the chicken and cook until cooked through, before setting aside.
Add the onions, carrot, and celery, and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes.
Add the garlic, paprika, and mustard, and sprinkle in the flour before mixing and cooking for 2 minutes.
Add the milk and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
Add the cheese and let it melt before mixing in the hot sauce.
Mix in the chicken and cooked (and drained) pasta and enjoy!

Option: Omit chicken for vegetarian.
Option: Use already cooked chicken to save some time!
Option: Add 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning!
Option: Add 1/4 cup blue cheese!
Option: Add 4 ounces of cream cheese!
Option: Add 1/2 cup sour cream!
Option: Top with more shredded cheese and broil to melt.
Option: Garnish with crumbled blue cheese.
Option: Garnish with cooked and crumbled bacon.
Option: Garnish with chopped parsley and/or cilantro.
Option: Garnish with thinly sliced green onions.