The way to my man's heart.

5 days ago, I received an e-mail from Dinnertool.com. Remember them? They had that crock pot recipe contest that I bugged you about every day for 2 weeks. You can't possibly have forgotten about my infamous award winning "Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese", right? Sadly, the e-mail was to inform me that Dinnertool.com is closing its virtual doors forever. Boo. Tomorrow is their last day, so go check them out before you can't anymore.

Since I tormented my other half with cinnamon for the past month or so, I decided to make it up to him by crocking something I know he'd like. AND I added a special ingredient this time. Because I'm just that awesome.

"Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese with BACON" (6 quart pot)

~3 T unsalted butter, divided
~3 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
~1 yellow onion, chopped
~1 celery stalk, chopped
~2 garlic cloves, chopped (From the CSA.)
~1 c Frank's Buffalo Sauce (I didn't use Xtra hot this time because I can't find it ANYWHERE. Boo.)
~2 c uncooked elbow macaroni
~1 1/2 c evaporated milk (I experimented and didn't use regular milk this time.)
~7.5 oz buffalo cheddar cheese (I found some of THIS in the cheese case and HAD to buy some. I tasted some before I put it in the pot. It's SPICY.)
~1 c Panko breadcrumbs
~1/2 c crumbled blue cheese
~2 slices of bacon, cooked crispy-like and broken into pieces (The only way bacon should ever be cooked.)

Grease crock pot.
Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add 1 T butter.
Add onion, celery, and garlic to pan and sauté until veggies are softened.
Add chicken and cook until the pink is gone.
Add buffalo sauce and toss chicken to coat.
Let sit cooking for a few minutes while you make the topping.
Topping:
Melt 2 T butter,
Add breadcrumbs, blue cheese, and bacon and mix.
Set aside.
Pour chicken mixture into crock pot.
Add macaroni, milk, and buffalo cheese.
Mix everything in the crock pot well. Make sure the macaroni is submerged.
Pour topping over the crock pot mixture as evenly as you can.
Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.

8 servings.

Delicious!

The.

End.