Introduction
Transform leftover chicken and your favorite mac and cheese into something truly spectacular! These Buffalo Ranch Chicken Mac & Cheese Bombs are the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a family dinner, game day, or a fun weeknight meal. Get ready to be amazed by how easy it is to turn simple ingredients into these cheesy, crispy, and wildly flavorful bites!
Why This Works
This recipe works because it’s a delicious combination of textures and flavors. The creamy, cheesy mac and cheese inside is perfectly complemented by the crispy, buffalo-ranch-seasoned exterior. It’s also incredibly easy to make – perfect for busy weeknights – and uses ingredients you likely already have on hand. Plus, who doesn’t love a fun, hand-held meal?
Key Ingredients
- 🧀 2 cups cooked macaroni and cheese
- 🐔 1 ½ cups cooked shredded chicken
- 🧀 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 🥣 ½ cup ranch dressing
- 🌶️ ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 🥚 1 large egg, beaten
- 🥖 1 ½ cups bread crumbs
- 🧈 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2️⃣ In a large bowl, gently combine the cooked macaroni and cheese, shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing. Mix well but be careful not to overmix.
3️⃣ Stir in the buffalo wing sauce. Taste and add more if you like a spicier kick!
4️⃣ In a separate small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and melted butter.
5️⃣ Add the bread crumbs to the egg mixture and stir until evenly coated.
6️⃣ Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, form the mac and cheese mixture into balls. (about 12-15)
7️⃣ Roll each mac and cheese ball in the bread crumb mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
8️⃣ Place the coated mac and cheese balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
9️⃣ Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through.
🔟 Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Handy Tips
- For extra flavor, use homemade macaroni and cheese!
- Don’t overmix the mac and cheese filling; you want to keep some texture.
- If your bread crumbs aren’t sticking well, try adding a little more of the egg-butter mixture.
- For a crispier exterior, broil the mac and cheese bombs for the last 2-3 minutes of baking. Watch carefully to prevent burning!
Heat Control
Baking at 375°F (190°C) ensures the mac and cheese bombs are cooked through and the breading is golden brown and crispy. Lowering the temperature may result in soggy breading, while a higher temperature could lead to burning.
Crunch Factor
The crunch comes from the perfectly golden-brown breadcrumb coating. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the creamy, cheesy interior is what makes these bombs so irresistible!
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- For a shortcut, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken from scratch.
- Add a sprinkle of your favorite spices to the breadcrumb mixture for an extra flavor boost (e.g., garlic powder, onion powder, paprika).
- Make these ahead of time! Assemble the bombs and store them in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Just add a few minutes to the baking time.
Storage Tips
Store leftover mac and cheese bombs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Gift Packaging Ideas
These mac and cheese bombs make a fun and delicious gift! Package them in a cute, reusable container or a festive gift box lined with parchment paper. Include a small card with the recipe so your friends and family can recreate this delicious treat.
Flavor Variations
🌟 Spicy Jalapeño Ranch: Add diced jalapeños to the mac and cheese mixture for a spicy kick.
🌟 Bacon Cheddar Bomb: Add cooked crumbled bacon to the mixture and use a bacon cheddar blend cheese.
🌟 BBQ Ranch Chicken: Replace the buffalo wing sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce.
🌟 Italian Herb Mac & Cheese Bombs: Use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and add some parmesan cheese.
Troubleshooting
- Soggy Bombs: If your bombs are soggy, you may have overmixed the filling or not baked them long enough. Try baking for a few more minutes.
- Burnt Bombs: If the bombs are burning too quickly, lower the oven temperature or move them to a lower rack.
- Falling Apart Bombs: If the bombs fall apart easily, make sure the breadcrumb mixture is well coated around the mac and cheese and gently shape the balls.
FAQ
- Can I freeze these? Yes, you can freeze the unbaked mac and cheese bombs before baking. Bake them from frozen, adding about 5-7 minutes to the baking time.
- Can I use different types of cheese? Absolutely! Experiment with different cheeses to create your own unique flavor combinations.
- What if I don’t have ranch dressing? You can use mayonnaise or plain yogurt instead.
- Can I make these mini-sized? Yes, you can use a smaller spoon to create mini mac and cheese bombs. Reduce baking time accordingly.
Conclusion
These Irresistible Buffalo Ranch Chicken Mac & Cheese Bombs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! They’re easy to make, incredibly delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Give them a try and let us know how you like them. Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using #AngelRecipes! Happy cooking!