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