Tini's Viral Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Name: Tini's Viral Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: cavatappi pasta; chicken breast; ranch seasoning; garlic powder; onion powder; chili powder; smoked paprika; cayenne; kosher salt; black pepper; olive oil; butter; all-purpose flour; evaporated milk; heavy cream; Dijon mustard; Colby Jack cheese; mozzarella cheese; sharp Cheddar cheese; smoked Gouda cheese; hot sauce; fresh chives

Food Network Hot List honoree Tini Younger's four-year-perfected creamy mac and cheese with buffalo chicken - cavatappi in a smoked paprika and Dijon mornay sauce loaded with Colby Jack, mozzarella, Cheddar and smoked Gouda, broiled golden with hot sauce and ranch seasoning.

Prep20 min

Cook30 min

Serves10

Ingredients

cavatappi pasta
chicken breast
ranch seasoning
garlic powder
onion powder
chili powder
smoked paprika
cayenne
kosher salt
black pepper
olive oil
butter
all-purpose flour
evaporated milk
heavy cream
Dijon mustard
Colby Jack cheese
mozzarella cheese
sharp Cheddar cheese
smoked Gouda cheese
hot sauce
fresh chives

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F. Butter a 9x13 baking dish. Cook cavatappi al dente, drain.
Toss chicken with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper. Sear in oil until cooked through, 3-5 min.
Melt butter with smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, pepper. Add flour, cook 3-5 min. Stir in chicken and hot sauce.
Whisk in evaporated milk slowly, then heavy cream and Dijon. Reduce heat, slowly whisk in 5 cups grated cheese until smooth.
Combine pasta with cheese sauce. Layer pasta and cheese in baking dish, ending with cheese.
Bake 25-30 min until bubbly. Broil 2 min until golden. Top with hot sauce, ranch seasoning, chives.

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