Buffalo-Chicken Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup cheese blue crumbled
• 2 stalks celery finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons mustard dry
• 1 pound elbow macaroni 
• 2 tablespoons flour all-purpose
• 2 tablespoons parsley fresh chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2.5 cups half-and-half 
• 0.8 cup hot sauce (preferably Frank's)
• 8 servings kosher salt 
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• 2 cups pepper jack cheese shredded
• 3 cups rotisserie chicken cut shredded
• 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese yellow cut into 1-inch cubes ( 3 1/2 cups)
• 0.7 cup cup heavy whipping cream sour
• 7 tablespoons butter unsalted plus more for the dish

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• sauce pan
• oven
• whisk
• pot
• baking pan
• wooden spoon
• microwave

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes.
2. Drain.
3. Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken and garlic and cook 2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup hot sauce and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 more minute.
5. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and mustard with a wooden spoon until smooth.
6. Whisk in the half-and-half, then add the remaining 1/4 cup hot sauce and stir until thick, about 2 minutes.
7. Whisk in the cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, then whisk in the sour cream until smooth.
8. Spread half of the macaroni in the prepared baking dish, then top with the chicken mixture and the remaining macaroni.
9. Pour the cheese sauce evenly on top.
10. Put the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted. Stir in the panko, blue cheese and parsley.
11. Sprinkle over the macaroni and bake until bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes.
12. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
13. Photograph by Con Poulos