Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

My satisfying Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a crowd-pleaser! It's easy to make, with tender shredded chicken, creamy cheese sauce, buffalo sauce, and pasta, but it's also re-heatable and freezer-friendly. 

Slow-cooked comfort food like this and Crock Pot Chicken Tater Tot Casserole and Crock Pot Ground Pork Casserole are a must!

Making a Crock Pot Buffalo Mac and Cheese recipe is easy, and unlike the stovetop version, I love that I don't have to watch it. I just go about my day churning out delicious blog posts. It's a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that I can't do without.

This dish is flavorful, creamy, and the perfect marriage of creamy mac & cheese and buffalo wings! It's a wonderful recipe for game day. So is my Buffalo Chicken Dip!

You should know something about this easy recipe—the sauce is amazing! It's not your classic mac and cheese sauce. 

It's better!

Jump to:

• Why We Love the Recipe
• Ingredient Notes
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Step-By-Step Instructions
• Expert tips and tricks 
• What to serve with slow cooker buffalo mac and cheese
• How to store 
• FAQs
• More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe Ideas
• Printable Recipe

Why We Love the Recipe

Here are some of the reasons we love this Buffalo Mac:

• SET IT AND FORGET IT. The recipe is made right in the slow cooker, so all you have to do is sit back and relax while it does its thing.
• CHEESE HEAVEN. The creamy, dreamy, slightly spicy cheese sauce takes this dish to the next level.
• EASE. There's no need to precook the pasta before putting it into the crockpot.

Ingredient Notes

Nothing complicated here. This slow cooker pasta comes together quickly with these ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery store. 

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts - You'll need about 1 pound of chicken breasts. You could also use chicken thighs.
• Chicken broth -  This will help keep the chicken moist as it cooks.
• Buffalo wings sauce -  You can use your favorite brand or make your own. Frank's red hot sauce is a favorite.
• Cream cheese - The cream cheese melts beautifully and gives the sauce a lovely creaminess.
• Variety of seasonings - For this buffalo chicken mac and cheese, you'll need garlic and onion powder. You'll also need celery salt!
• Shell uncooked pasta - To make this mac and cheese, you're going to need shell pasta.
• Colby jack cheese - The cheese is what makes this dish complete. You could also use cheddar cheese in this recipe! 
• Flour and milk - To make the thick and creamy cheese sauce, you'll need flour and whole milk. However, you can also use low-fat or skim milk.

The measurements and step-by-step instructions are in the printable recipe card, which you can find if you scroll to the bottom of the post. 

PRO TIP: Be sure you use cheese you shred yourself when making cheese sauces. Packaged grated cheese has an anti-caking agent that will leave you with a grainy sauce.

Variations

As mentioned above, there are so many ways that you can change up this slow cooker buffalo chicken mac and cheese to make it your own. Here are a few ideas I've used to get you started:

• Add in some diced green onions.
• Top with blue cheese crumbles. So good!
• Throw in some diced jalapeños for a bit of spice, or go mild by adding diced green chilies.

Step-By-Step Instructions

First, spray your crock with non-stick cooking spray.

STEP ONE - Add chicken, broth, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and seasonings to your slow cooker. 

STEP TWO - Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 3-4 hours.

STEP THREE - Take the lid off and shred the chicken with two forks.

STEP FOUR - Turn the crock pot to HIGH and add the uncooked pasta. Cook for 40-45 minutes until the pasta is done. If needed, add ¼ cup of water at a time to keep the noodles moist while continuing to cook.

STEP FIVE - In the meantime, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Slowly whisk in the flour and then the milk. Add in the cheese and mix until the cheese is melted and smooth. 

STEP SIX - Add the cheese sauce to the slow cooker, mix all the ingredients, and cook for 5 more minutes.

SERVE and ENJOY!

Expert tips and tricks 

• A 6-quart crockpot is best for this recipe.
• Add heat to it: If you want more heat and a little kick, add some cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce. It will become one of your new favorite comfort foods. 
• Switch up the chicken: To make this recipe even easier, you could also use rotisserie chicken. It's also good with cooked ground beef.
• Extra cheese, please: If you're looking for an extra-cheesy mac and cheese, add an additional ½ cup of cheese to the sauce. We love adding Monterey jack cheese sometimes. 
• A little crunch: A great way to get a crunchy topping is to sprinkle some chopped bacon or bread crumbs on top before serving.

PRO TIP: It’s best to use shell pasta, so it catches lots of the creamy cheese sauce!

Erin

What to serve with slow cooker buffalo mac and cheese

To make this a complete meal, serve the recipe with:

• Steamed veggies
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• A green salad

How to store 

This mac and cheese is perfect for a crowd or if you're looking for a make-ahead meal that you can reheat throughout the week.

• Fridge: Let the chicken mac and cheese cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

• Reheating: Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate and reheat for 1-2 minutes, depending on the strength of your microwave. 

• Freezer: This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese can also be frozen! Let it cool completely before adding it to a freezer-safe container. When you're ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat it in the microwave or stove.

PRO TIP: Freeze your slow cooker buffalo mac in individual portions, so making a quick lunch or dinner for family members is easy. 

There you have it! This buffalo chicken mac and cheese recipe is the perfect option if you're looking for an economical and easy meal that will last throughout the week.

FAQs

More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe Ideas

My entire family loves these simple dinner recipes.

Love this Slow Cooker Buffalo Mac & Cheese recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.

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Printable Recipe