Healthy Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Recipe: A Comfort Food Makeover You’ll Crave More than Once

Indulge in the rich, spicy flavors of Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese with better-for-you ingredients that you can feel good about eating. This healthy twist on a comfort food classic is made with wholesome ingredients like lean chicken breast, chickpea pasta, and bone broth for added nutrition. It’s creamy, satisfying, and packed with extra protein thanks to the unique addition of Ripple Pea Protein Milk (not required but recommended, try it!) Here’s why each ingredient makes this dish a standout:

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• High in Protein: Lean chicken breast is loaded with protein to help keep you satisfied, fuel muscle recovery, and power you through your day. 

• Gut-Healthy Bone Broth: Not just for soups! Bone broth adds a depth of flavor while providing collagen, amino acids, and nutrients that support joint health and digestion.

• Chickpea Pasta for Extra Fiber: Swapping traditional pasta for chickpea pasta boosts your meal with plant-based protein and fiber, helping to maintain steady energy levels and support digestive health.

• Ripple Pea Protein Milk for Dairy-Free Creaminess: This plant-based milk pumps up the protein, while adding a creamy dairy-free texture. 

Why This Recipe Works: It takes everything you love about classic Buffalo chicken mac and cheese—cheesy, bold, and comforting—and reimagines it with a healthy spin that won’t leave you feeling sluggish.

Make it Your Own: Top it with some crumbled blue cheese, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of extra buffalo sauce to really make it pop. This is comfort food redefined—nutritious, flavorful, and guaranteed to hit the spot. Click here for a link to Frank’s Red Hot Original, the hot sauce I used. 

Health Benefits Recap: This Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese isn’t just delicious; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition. You’ll enjoy the benefits of high-quality protein from chicken and pea protein milk, the gut-supporting properties of bone broth, and the fiber-rich goodness of chickpea pasta. It’s the ultimate guilt-free comfort dish that nourishes while satisfying those cheesy, spicy cravings.

Insider Tip: Right now, I’m also obsessed with this Chocolate Flavored Bone Broth (15% automatically applied through link). Obviously, not to be used in this recipe, but on the topic of bone broth I had to share that I’ve been having 1 cup of this at night and preparing it with hot water, cinnamon and a few drops of Peppermint Stevia. I like warm tea while I wind down at night and after finding this product, I’ve been going back and forth between this and my favorite brand of Lemon Ginger Tea. 

Give this recipe a try and redefine what comfort food means for you and your healthy lifestyle!