Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe That’ll Spice Up Dinner

Culinary magic happens when buffalo chicken collides with creamy pasta in this mouthwatering dish.

Flavor-packed ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of zesty and comforting notes.

Spicy buffalo sauce adds a kick that’ll make your taste buds sing with excitement.

Tender chicken chunks nestle perfectly among al dente noodles, promising a meal that satisfies deep cravings.

Bold and unpretentious, this recipe speaks to those who love hearty, crowd-pleasing comfort food.

Cheese melts into a luscious blanket, binding each delectable bite with rich, tangy goodness.

Let’s turn up the heat and transform an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary adventure you won’t forget.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta: Bold Flavor You’ll Come Back To

• Quick Weeknight Savior: Transforms boring dinner into a zesty, creamy meal ready in under 30 minutes with minimal kitchen effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Bomb: Combines spicy buffalo chicken with comforting pasta, guaranteeing a delicious dish that satisfies both kids and adults at family dinners.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adaptable recipe allowing home cooks to adjust spice levels, swap cheeses, or add extra toppings like crispy bacon or blue cheese crumbles for personal flair.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Requires just a few pantry staples and basic cooking skills, making it perfect for busy home chefs who want maximum taste with minimal complexity.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Prep Mix

• Pasta: Holds the sauce and adds texture to the dish. Penne or rotini work great for catching the creamy sauce.

• Cooked Shredded Chicken: Provides protein and bulk to the meal. Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken for convenience.

• Buffalo Sauce, Heavy Cream, Cream Cheese, Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Creates a rich, tangy, and creamy buffalo chicken sauce. Choose a hot sauce with good flavor balance.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall flavor profile of the dish. Adjust to personal taste preferences.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds a subtle richness to the recipe.

• Green Onions, Parsley: Adds fresh color and a light, crisp flavor to finish the dish. Provides a nice visual and taste contrast.

Guide to Buffalo Chicken Pasta Steps

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Select your favorite pasta shape and cook it according to the package directions.

Once perfectly al dente, drain the pasta and set it aside, ready to absorb the delicious buffalo sauce later.

Step 2: Sizzle Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Stir the chicken for about 2 minutes until it starts to warm through and become fragrant.

Step 3: Splash Buffalo Heat

Pour buffalo sauce into the skillet with the chicken.

Stir thoroughly to coat the meat completely.

Reduce the heat to low, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and velvety, with no lumps remaining.

Step 5: Combine and Coat

Introduce the cooked pasta into the skillet.

Gently mix the pasta, ensuring every single noodle gets covered in the spicy, creamy buffalo sauce.

Step 6: Season and Finish

Sprinkle salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Top the pasta with chopped green onions or fresh parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Serve the buffalo chicken pasta hot and enjoy immediately.

Spicy Creamy Pasta Made Simple With Buffalo Chicken Tips

• Adjust buffalo sauce quantity to control heat intensity, allowing everyone to enjoy their preferred spiciness.
• Use low heat when adding dairy ingredients to maintain smooth, creamy texture without curdling.
• Substitute chicken with rotisserie, grilled, or plant-based protein options for variety.
• Incorporate roasted bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini for added nutrition and flavor complexity.
• Prepare sauce in advance and store separately from pasta, combining just before serving to maintain optimal consistency.

Store Buffalo Pasta And Reheat Right

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or extra buffalo sauce to prevent drying, then cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or buffalo sauce to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, ensuring the best texture and flavor preservation.

What to Enjoy with Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Pair with Cool Blue Cheese Dressing: Drizzle tangy blue cheese dressing over the pasta to complement the spicy buffalo chicken, creating a classic flavor harmony that balances heat and creaminess.
• Serve with Crisp Celery Sticks: Add fresh, crunchy celery sticks on the side to provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, spicy pasta and echo traditional buffalo wing flavors.
• Match with Chilled Light Beer: Select a crisp, light beer like a pilsner or wheat beer to cut through the creamy sauce and cool down the buffalo sauce's spiciness.
• Complement with Zesty Coleslaw: Prepare a light, zesty coleslaw with a vinegar-based dressing to add a bright, crunchy element that offsets the pasta's richness.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta with Tangy Cheesy Combos

• Replace chicken with crispy tofu or plant-based chicken alternative, using same seasoning and buffalo sauce techniques for a meat-free version.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Buffalo Pasta: Swap traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining creamy buffalo sauce flavor.
• Dairy-Free Buffalo Pasta: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, dairy-free cream cheese substitute, and nutritional yeast in place of cheddar cheese for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Gluten-Free Buffalo Chicken Pasta: Select gluten-free pasta options like chickpea or rice pasta, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.

FAQs

• What is buffalo sauce made of?

Buffalo sauce typically combines hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot) with melted butter, creating a spicy and tangy flavor that gives dishes their signature kick.

• Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Absolutely! Reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or use a milder hot sauce. You can also mix in some ranch dressing to tone down the heat and create a more balanced flavor.

• Is this dish considered a comfort food?

Yes, buffalo chicken pasta combines the beloved flavors of buffalo wings with creamy pasta, making it a perfect comfort food that’s rich, satisfying, and packed with flavor.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken work great. You can also use shredded chicken breasts or thighs, depending on your preference and what’s available.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta brings spicy comfort to your dinner table with a zesty twist. Hearty noodles coated in tangy sauce and tender chicken create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1 cup buffalo sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Dairy and Cheese:

• 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare pasta al dente according to package guidelines, then drain thoroughly and reserve.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over moderate temperature.
3. Introduce shredded chicken into the pan, seasoning with aromatic garlic and onion powders, sautéing until fragrant and heated through.
4. Cascade buffalo sauce into the skillet, thoroughly coating the chicken and creating a vibrant, spicy base.
5. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and incorporate heavy cream, allowing it to meld with the sauce’s intensity.
6. Fold in cream cheese, stirring continuously to create a velvety smooth texture without lumps.
7. Gradually sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until the sauce transforms into a rich, creamy consistency.
8. Gently fold cooked pasta into the spicy, cheesy mixture, ensuring each noodle is evenly enrobed with the buffalo chicken sauce.
9. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, tasting to achieve perfect flavor balance.
10. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped green onions or parsley for a touch of brightness and visual appeal.
11. Serve immediately while the pasta remains warm and sauce is luxuriously creamy.

Notes

• Elevate flavor by using rotisserie chicken for a quick, juicy protein boost.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting buffalo sauce quantity or using mild/hot varieties.
• Try Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for a lighter, protein-packed alternative.
• Make it gluten-free by selecting chickpea or lentil pasta for added nutrition.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 748
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1120 mg
• Fat: 41 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 157 mg