Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Mac & Cheese

I'm a creature of habit. Aren't most of us? Quinoa is one of my favorite dishes for the endless health benefits and versatility and when I made this recipe recently while in St. Louis I had to share. 

Buffalo chicken+quinoa+mac&cheese taste?

  Yep, I'm making it

While Brian ran to the store to get a few missing items I started on the first half of the recipe. I love a good team effort in the kitchen and it always seems more fun with him there helping out :)

The recipe was a hit and even given the go ahead to be made again and again.

The added goat cheese on top takes the dish up a notch to fabulous.

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Mac & Cheese

recipe by iowa girl eats

ingredients:

1- 1/4 c. quinoa

1 chicken breast (next time I may add 2)

garlic powder

onion powder

salt & pepper

2 tbsp. flour

1 1/2 c. milk, divided (I used almond milk and it still tasted great)

2 green onions, sliced

1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. buffalo wing sauce

1 1/2 c. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 c. goat cheese, crumbled

directions:

Cook quinoa according to package and set aside. Season the chicken breast with garlic powder, onion powder and salt/pepper. Cook in a skillet (sprayed with non-stick) until cooked through. Chop into bite sized pieces and set aside.

Whisk together 1/2 c. milk and 2 tbsp. flour in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Add in the remaining milk and green onions. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir constantly for one minute.

Remove the pan from the heat and add buffalo sauce and cheddar cheese. Once the cheese is melted add in the quinoa and chicken. Stir to combine.

Pour into a non-stick sprayed casserole dish and top with goat cheese. Broil for 5-7 minutes until cheese slightly browns and the sauce bubbles.

Enjoy!