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Creamy Wing Sauce Mac and Cheese with Crispy Chicken

creamy wing sauce mac and cheese - featured image
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A comforting and flavorful mac and cheese dish with a spicy wing sauce folded in and topped with crispy fried chicken bites. Perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225g) elbow macaroni or pasta shells
  • 2 cups (480ml) whole milk (or 2% milk)
  • 2 cups (200g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (100g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups (150g) panko breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable oil for frying (or olive oil)
  • Optional toppings: chopped green onions or chives, extra wing sauce for drizzling, blue cheese crumbles

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In one bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. In a second bowl, beat eggs. In a third bowl, place panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Dredge chicken pieces first in flour mixture, then eggs, then panko breadcrumbs. Place on a tray.
  4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  5. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  6. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
  7. Lower heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted and smooth. Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and wing sauce. Mix until creamy and combined.
  8. Add cooked pasta to cheese sauce and stir gently to coat. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  9. Transfer mac and cheese to a serving dish. Top evenly with crispy chicken pieces. Drizzle extra wing sauce and sprinkle chopped green onions or chives if desired.
  10. Optional: Bake assembled dish at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes for a lightly golden top.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the frying pan to keep chicken crispy. Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 350°F (175°C). Whisk sauce constantly to avoid lumps. For less heat, reduce wing sauce and add cream. For more heat, add cayenne or jalapeños. Leftovers reheat best in oven to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, wing sauce, crispy chicken, comfort food, easy recipe, spicy, cheesy, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/creamy-wing-sauce-mac-and-cheese-with-crispy-chicken-easy-recipe/