Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
If you love bold, spicy flavors and crave a one-pan wonder that’s creamy, tangy, and downright irresistible, then this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe is made just for you. Picture tender chunks of seasoned chicken mingling with perfectly cooked penne pasta, all enveloped in a rich, velvety sauce that packs a punch of classic buffalo heat. This dish is comfort food elevated, bringing together the best of two worlds — pasta night and game day — into one delicious, easy-to-make meal that your whole family will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe relies on straightforward ingredients that work together to create a harmony of flavors and textures. Each component is essential in building the creamy, spicy, and savory notes that make this dish so satisfying and colorful on the plate.
- Chicken breast: Boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and flavor absorption.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt: A simple spice blend to season the chicken, giving it a subtle warmth and depth.
- Cooking oil: For browning the chicken perfectly without sticking.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth sauce.
- Penne pasta: The ideal sturdy pasta shape to hold onto the creamy buffalo sauce.
- Petite diced tomatoes (undrained): Bring a touch of acidity and bright color to balance the heat.
- Chicken broth: The liquid base that cooks the pasta and infuses it with savory flavor.
- Cream cheese: Melts into the sauce, making it irresistibly creamy and luscious.
- Hot sauce: Classic buffalo flavor that brings heat and tang.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a subtle umami complexity to deepen the sauce’s flavor.
- Monterey Jack cheese: Melts for a gooey finish that complements the spicy sauce perfectly.
- Green onions: Optional garnish for a fresh, mild crunch and vibrant pop of green.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Season Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken breast into even ½ to ¾-inch pieces, making sure each bite will be tender and perfectly cooked. Then mix your garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt in a bowl, tossing the chicken pieces in this aromatic blend to coat them evenly. This simple seasoning is the foundation that sets the dish’s bold flavor tone.
Step 2: Brown Chicken
Heat your cooking oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until just about smoking – this is the key to getting that beautiful browning. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and let them cook undisturbed for a few minutes until they develop a gorgeous golden crust on all sides. Don’t worry if they’re not fully cooked through here; they’ll finish cooking with the pasta later.
Step 3: Add Pasta and Liquids
Next, add the uncooked penne pasta right into the skillet with the chicken, then pour in your can of petite diced tomatoes (including all the flavorful juices) and the chicken broth. Use a spoon or spatula to gently scrape the bottom of the pan, lifting all those delicious browned bits – that’s where a lot of the flavor lives!
Step 4: Simmer
Cover the skillet with a lid and let the broth come to a strong simmer. Once bubbling, give the pasta a quick stir, replace the lid, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the pasta cook in this flavorful liquid for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring once or twice to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. When the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, you’re ready for the next step.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Sauce
Lower the heat to medium-low and add the cubed cream cheese along with butter, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts fully into a smooth sauce coating every piece of pasta and chicken. The heat from the hot sauce will mingle beautifully with the cream cheese’s richness to create that classic buffalo flavor everyone loves.
Step 6: Serve
Finally, sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the pasta and stir until it melts completely into the sauce, creating a gooey, cheesy finish. For an inviting, fresh touch, top your Buffalo Chicken Pasta with sliced green onions before serving this crowd-pleaser hot from the skillet.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Green onions aren’t just for color – they add a mild onion crunch that cuts through the creamy heat wonderfully, brightening each bite. If you’re feeling adventurous, a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing can also complement the spicy buffalo sauce perfectly, adding a cool contrast.
Side Dishes
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe pairs beautifully with crunchy, cooling sides like celery sticks or a simple green salad. Crisp vegetables balance the richness and heat, while garlic bread is an indulgent option for soaking up any leftover sauce on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this pasta in warm bowls with extra shredded Monterey Jack on top for extra cheesiness. You could also plate it with a sprinkle of crispy cooked bacon bits or even a few crumbled blue cheese cubes for an upscale twist that elevates the buffalo flavor profile to new heights.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Buffalo Chicken Pasta, save any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This dish keeps well for up to 3 days and actually tastes even better after the flavors have a chance to meld overnight.
Freezing
If you want to freeze this pasta for a later meal, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 2 months, making it a great option for busy days when you need a quick, satisfying dinner.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You may want to add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much in the fridge or freezer.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While penne is ideal for holding the creamy sauce, you can swap in fusilli, rotini, or even rigatoni depending on what you have on hand. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time slightly based on the pasta’s size and shape.
How spicy is this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe?
This recipe offers a noticeable but balanced spice level thanks to the cayenne pepper and hot sauce. If you prefer milder heat, reduce the cayenne or use less hot sauce and adjust to taste.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
While the classic Buffalo Chicken Pasta centers around chicken, you can easily substitute with firm tofu or chickpeas and use vegetable broth to create a vegetarian-friendly version that still delivers great flavor and texture.
What can I use instead of cream cheese?
If you don’t have cream cheese, Greek yogurt or sour cream can be a nice alternative, though they will change the consistency and tanginess slightly. Adding them just before serving helps maintain their creamy texture without curdling.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes! Buffalo Chicken Pasta freezes well and reheats beautifully, making it an excellent make-ahead meal. Just be sure to cool it fully before freezing and reheat gently to keep the sauce smooth and creamy.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about a dish that combines spicy heat, creamy sauce, and tender, flavorful chicken in one easy skillet. This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe is perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for serving guests. I promise once you try it, it will become a go-to favorite that you’ll love making over and over again. So go ahead and give it a whirl — your taste buds will thank you!
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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe combines tender, spiced chicken with creamy cheese and spicy hot sauce, all tossed together with perfectly cooked penne pasta for a quick and flavorful 30-minute meal. The dish is a delicious blend of tangy buffalo flavors and comforting creamy textures, perfect for a weeknight dinner that packs a punch.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about ⅔ lb), cut into ½-¾ inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 oz penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 (15 oz) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- ¼ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
Garnish
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Cut the chicken into ½-¾ inch pieces. Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the chicken pieces. Toss the chicken to ensure it is fully coated in the spices.
- Brown Chicken: Heat the cooking oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and brown them on all sides, but do not cook them through completely at this stage.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Into the skillet with the browned chicken, add the uncooked penne pasta, the can of petite diced tomatoes (including the liquid), and the chicken broth. Stir well to lift and dissolve any browned bits stuck to the skillet bottom.
- Simmer: Place a lid on the skillet and allow the liquid to come to a strong simmer. Once simmering, briefly stir the pasta to prevent sticking, then replace the lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the pasta cook in the simmering broth for 10-12 minutes, stirring once or twice during this time and always replacing the lid immediately after stirring. Cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Cheese and Sauce: When the pasta is tender with only a small amount of thickened liquid left, add the cubed cream cheese, butter, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir over medium-low heat until the cream cheese completely melts and combines into a creamy sauce coating the pasta.
- Serve: Stir in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese until melted thoroughly into the sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired, and serve the dish hot for a flavorful, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to make the dish milder or spicier according to your preference.
- Using a deep skillet with a lid is important to properly simmer the pasta and cook it evenly.
- If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, a splash of soy sauce or additional hot sauce can be used as a substitute.
- For a richer flavor, try substituting half-and-half or milk for some of the chicken broth, but reduce salt accordingly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
