If you are craving a dish that merges the tangy kick of buffalo wings with the comforting embrace of creamy pasta, the Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This dish brings together tender pieces of spiced chicken, perfectly cooked penne, and a luscious sauce that balances heat and creaminess in every bite. Whether you’re feeding a family or entertaining friends, this recipe delivers hearty flavors and satisfying textures that make it an instant crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe right really comes down to having a handful of simple, yet powerful ingredients. Each component plays a vital role, from adding depth and heat to enhancing creaminess and color.
- Chicken breast: Provides tender protein chunks that soak up all the delicious buffalo flavor.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt: A flavorful spice blend that seasons the chicken perfectly.
- Cooking oil: Ensures the chicken browns beautifully without sticking.
- Butter: Adds richness and silky texture to the sauce.
- Penne pasta: The ideal pasta shape here, catching the sauce in its tubes.
- Petite diced tomatoes: Bring a subtle sweetness and freshness with their juices.
- Chicken broth: The cooking liquid that infuses the pasta and creates a flavorful base.
- Cream cheese: Makes the sauce irresistibly creamy and smooth.
- Hot sauce: The essential buffalo heat factor, bold and vibrant.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami depth, rounding out the flavor profile.
- Shredded Monterey Jack cheese: Melts in for gooey, cheesy goodness.
- Green onions: Optional garnish that adds a fresh, crisp finish.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Cut your chicken breast into small ½ to ¾ inch pieces. Toss these pieces in a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt to coat them evenly. The combination of spices sets the stage for that signature buffalo flavor, ensuring every bite packs a punch.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Heat your cooking oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until it’s very hot. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and let them brown on all sides. This step locks in the flavor and creates a delicious crust, even though the chicken won’t be fully cooked yet—don’t worry, it will finish cooking in the pasta sauce later.
Step 3: Add Pasta and Liquids
Next, stir in the uncooked penne pasta, canned diced tomatoes with their juice, and chicken broth right into the skillet. Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen all those tasty browned bits from the chicken – this builds flavor into every mouthful.
Step 4: Simmer and Cook the Pasta
Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the broth to a strong simmer. Give the pasta a brief stir once the simmer starts, then replace the lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the pasta cook in the flavorful broth for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring once or twice along the way. The pasta will absorb most of the liquid and become tender, soaking up all the Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe goodness.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Sauce
Once your pasta is perfectly tender and the liquid has thickened slightly, it’s time to stir in the cream cheese, butter, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Keep the heat on medium-low and mix everything until the cream cheese melts completely, creating a luxuriously creamy buffalo sauce coating the pasta and chicken.
Step 6: Finish with Monterey Jack Cheese
Sprinkle in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese and gently stir until it melts, making the sauce even richer and creamier. Top your masterpiece with sliced green onions for a pop of freshness and color before serving hot and savoring every bite.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
A simple garnish of thinly sliced green onions adds a vibrant, oniony crunch that brightens the dish and provides a fresh contrast to the creamy buffalo sauce. You can also sprinkle some extra shredded cheese or chopped cilantro for added flair.
Side Dishes
This dish shines on its own but can be beautifully complemented with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus. For those who enjoy extra heat, a side of celery sticks with ranch or blue cheese dressing keeps the buffalo wing spirit alive.
Creative Ways to Present
Impress your guests by serving this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe in individual ramekins or bowls, topped with extra cheese and a drizzle of hot sauce. For a casual gathering, a big family-style platter garnished with fresh herbs makes a colorful center for your table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The pasta will thicken as it cools; just add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to loosen the sauce back up.
Freezing
Although best enjoyed fresh, this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe can be frozen for up to two months. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove or microwave.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers over low to medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a little water, chicken broth, or milk as needed to refresh the creamy texture. Microwaving works too, but stirring halfway through helps maintain even heat and consistency.
FAQs
Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While penne is ideal because its shape holds sauce well, you can swap in rotini, rigatoni, or even fusilli for a fun twist. Just keep cooking times in mind as they may vary slightly.
How spicy is this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe?
The recipe balances heat and creaminess nicely with the cayenne and hot sauce. You can easily adjust the spiciness by adding more or less hot sauce depending on your tolerance for heat.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
To make a vegetarian version, use a plant-based chicken substitute and vegetable broth. For a vegan version, replace cream cheese and cheese with non-dairy alternatives and use vegan butter. The buffalo sauce flavor still shines through!
Is it necessary to brown the chicken before adding pasta?
Browning adds flavor and texture, creating those delicious caramelized bits that enhance the whole dish. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but you might lose some depth in the flavor.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time for a party?
Yes! You can complete the cooking steps except for adding the cheese and garnishes, then refrigerate the pasta. Reheat gently and finish with cheese and fresh sliced green onions just before serving to keep everything vibrant.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe is a total game-changer for anyone who loves rich, flavorful meals with a bit of a kick. It’s incredible how simple ingredients and straightforward steps come together to create something this mouthwatering. Whether it’s a cozy night in or a casual get-together, this dish is absolutely worth trying—you might just find yourself making it again and again.
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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal that combines tender chicken with spicy buffalo sauce, creamy cheese, and hearty penne pasta for a comforting and satisfying dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 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
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Garnish
- 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 in a bowl, then sprinkle the mixture over the chicken pieces. Toss well to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the spices.
- Brown Chicken: Heat the cooking oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the spiced chicken pieces and cook, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides but not fully cooked through.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Add the uncooked penne pasta, canned petite diced tomatoes with their liquid, and chicken broth into the skillet with the browned chicken. Stir thoroughly, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet for extra flavor.
- Simmer: Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the mixture to a strong simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, give the pasta a quick stir, cover again, reduce heat to medium-low, and let it cook for 10–12 minutes. Stir once or twice during this time, always replacing the lid after stirring, until the pasta becomes tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Cheese and Sauce: With the pasta tender and a small amount of thickened liquid left, stir in the cubed cream cheese, butter, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy and well combined with the pasta.
- Serve: Add the shredded Monterey Jack cheese and gently stir until melted into the sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired. Serve the buffalo chicken pasta hot and enjoy!
Notes
- To adjust spice level, increase or decrease the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce.
- For a creamier texture, you can add a splash of milk or heavy cream when stirring in the cream cheese.
- This dish works well with other pasta shapes such as rigatoni or fusilli.
- Use fresh green onions or chives for garnish to add a fresh bite.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the penne pasta with a certified gluten-free variety.
