Description
Creamy buffalo chicken pasta delivers a spicy kick that elevates comfort food to new heights. Zesty sauce, tender chicken, and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Optional Toppings:
- Sliced green onions
- Crumbled blue cheese
- Ranch drizzle
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, sauté shredded chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until warmed through.
- Pour buffalo sauce over chicken, thoroughly coating each piece and allowing flavors to meld for 2-3 minutes.
- Lower heat to simmer, introduce heavy cream and cream cheese, whisking continuously until sauce becomes silky and cream cheese completely dissolves.
- Incorporate shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese melts and creates a uniform, creamy consistency.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the spicy, cheesy sauce, ensuring every pasta strand is generously covered.
- Transfer to serving dish, optionally garnishing with chopped green onions, drizzle of blue cheese or ranch dressing for added zest and visual appeal.
Notes
- Adjust buffalo sauce intensity by using mild or hot varieties, catering to different heat preferences without overwhelming the dish.
- Replace chicken with tofu, shredded turkey, or plant-based alternatives for dietary flexibility and diverse protein options.
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent lumpy sauce and achieve a silky, smooth consistency when melting.
- Prepare the sauce separately and store in the refrigerator, then reheat gently and mix with freshly cooked pasta to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy noodles.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 523 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 840 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg