Description
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe is a flavorful and creamy dish combining tender shredded chicken tossed in spicy buffalo sauce with penne pasta. Enriched with rich heavy cream, tangy ranch dressing, and melted cheeses, it delivers the perfect balance of heat and creaminess for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini)
Sauce & Chicken
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- Sliced green onions
- Crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add chicken and buffalo sauce: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and buffalo sauce, mixing thoroughly to evenly coat the chicken pieces with the spicy sauce.
- Create the creamy sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and ranch dressing, stirring to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors.
- Add cheeses: Add the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese to the skillet, stirring until the cheeses melt completely into a creamy sauce.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat every piece with the buffalo cream sauce.
- Season and finish cooking: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then cook for an additional 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to fully combine and the dish to heat through.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with sliced green onions and crumbled blue cheese if desired.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spice level according to your preference.
- You can use rotisserie chicken to reduce prep time and effort.
- For a baked variation, transfer the prepared pasta mixture to a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
