Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe – Spicy Homemade Comfort

Creamy buffalo chicken pasta has become my unexpected weeknight superhero.

Comfort meets spice in this lightning-fast dinner solution that practically cooks itself.

My kitchen always buzzes with excitement when this dish emerges from the stove.

Zesty hot sauce transforms ordinary pasta into a mouthwatering feast that makes everyone cheer.

Bold flavors dance through tender chicken and perfectly cooked noodles, creating a meal that feels like pure magic.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Dive in and savor every deliciously spicy bite – your taste buds will thank you.

Why Buffalo Chicken Pasta Is So Flavorful

• Satisfy Spicy Cravings: Packed with bold buffalo sauce, this pasta delivers a zesty kick that tantalizes taste buds and satisfies intense flavor cravings.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Combining classic chicken pasta with buffalo-style excitement, this dish brings together familiar ingredients in a crowd-winning recipe that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Master One-Pot Wonder: Streamlined cooking process means minimal cleanup, with all ingredients coming together in a single skillet for maximum convenience and minimal kitchen mess.
• Transform Weeknight Dinner: Quick to prepare and requiring basic ingredients, this recipe turns an ordinary meal into a restaurant-worthy experience without complicated techniques or hard-to-find components.

Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Pasta: A staple ingredient that serves as the base of this creamy buffalo chicken dish.
• Chicken: Shredded protein that adds substance and flavor to the recipe.
• Buffalo Sauce: Provides the signature spicy and tangy kick to the pasta.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth sauce base.
• Cream Cheese: Contributes to the creamy texture and provides a tangy flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Enhances the sauce's richness and creates a smooth consistency.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts into the dish, adding extra cheesy flavor and creaminess.

• Garlic: Provides a aromatic and flavorful base for the sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• Green Onions, Blue Cheese, Parsley: Optional garnishes that add fresh flavor and visual appeal.

How to Cook Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Grab your favorite pasta and cook it according to the package directions. Once it’s perfectly al dente, drain the water and set the pasta aside, ready for its flavor transformation.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

Heat up a large skillet and melt butter over medium heat. Toss in freshly minced garlic and let it dance around until it releases its aromatic magic, filling your kitchen with an irresistible scent.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Sauce

• Cream cheese
• Heavy cream

Stir everything until the mixture becomes silky smooth and incredibly creamy, creating a rich sauce that’ll make taste buds sing.

Step 4: Add Protein Power

Introduce shredded chicken to the skillet, letting it simmer and soak up all those spicy, creamy flavors for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Fold the cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring every single noodle gets completely drenched in the luxurious buffalo sauce.

Step 6: Melt in Cheesy Goodness

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese into the mix, stirring until it melts completely and blends into the sauce.

Step 7: Season to Perfection

Enhance the flavor with salt and pepper, adjusting to your personal taste preferences.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Plate the buffalo chicken pasta while it’s hot and steamy.

Optional garnishes include chopped green onions, crumbled blue cheese, or fresh parsley for an extra pop of color and flavor.

Helpful Tips for Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Choose whole wheat pasta for a healthier twist and added fiber boost.
• Swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt to reduce calories and increase protein content.
• Adjust buffalo sauce quantity based on personal spice tolerance for milder or spicier results.
• Use rotisserie chicken for faster preparation and extra convenience when short on time.
• Include optional toppings like crispy bacon bits or ranch dressing to enhance flavor complexity.

Flavor Twists on Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Vegetarian Buffalo Tofu Pasta: Replace chicken with crispy pan-fried tofu cubes, using extra-firm tofu for best texture and protein content.
• Gluten-Free Buffalo Chicken Pasta: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free rice or chickpea pasta, ensuring all sauce ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Low-Carb Buffalo Chicken Zoodles: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining classic buffalo flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Buffalo Chicken Alternative: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, nutritional yeast for cheese replacement, and dairy-free buffalo sauce to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.

Ideal Pairings with Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Spicy Game Night Delight: Serve this buffalo chicken pasta during sports events or movie marathons as a crowd-pleasing comfort food that brings everyone together.
• Potluck Party Sensation: Bring this dish to gatherings in a large serving dish, allowing friends to scoop generous portions and enjoy the zesty flavor combination.
• Weeknight Dinner Hero: Transform this quick recipe into a complete meal by adding a simple side salad or crispy garlic bread to balance the rich, spicy pasta.
• Leftover Magic Makeover: Use any remaining pasta as a delicious filling for quesadillas or stuff into bell peppers for a creative next-day lunch option.

FAQs

• What are the main flavor components in this buffalo chicken pasta?

The key flavors come from buffalo sauce’s spicy kick, cream cheese’s richness, and cheddar cheese’s sharpness, creating a bold and creamy taste profile.

• Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. Simply shred the meat and add it to the sauce, which will help it absorb the buffalo sauce flavors quickly.

• How spicy is this dish, and can I adjust the heat level?

The spiciness depends on your buffalo sauce brand. You can control heat by using mild buffalo sauce or mixing hot and mild sauces to achieve your preferred spice level.

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy buffalo chicken pasta delivers a spicy kick that merges zesty flavors with comfort food. Cheesy noodles and tender chicken combine for a satisfying meal home cooks will devour quickly.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Pasta and Base:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup buffalo sauce

Seasonings and Extras:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings:

• Sliced green onions
• Crumbled blue cheese
• Parsley

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Instructions

1. Boil pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain thoroughly and reserve.
2. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat until it begins to foam, then add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until aromatic.
3. Whisk buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform in texture.
4. Introduce shredded chicken to the creamy sauce, gently stirring to ensure complete coating and heating through for 2-3 minutes.
5. Fold the drained pasta into the chicken and sauce mixture, tossing carefully to distribute ingredients evenly and create a consistent coating.
6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta, stirring until completely melted and integrated into the sauce.
7. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, tasting to ensure balanced flavor profile.
8. Transfer to serving dishes while hot, optionally garnishing with chopped green onions, crumbled blue cheese, or fresh parsley for added visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Swap regular pasta for whole wheat or gluten-free options to accommodate dietary restrictions and add more nutritional value.
• Reduce buffalo sauce intensity by mixing with ranch or adding a splash of milk for those who prefer milder flavors.
• Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation method that saves time and adds extra flavor to the dish.
• Consider adding Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream to create a lighter, protein-rich version of the recipe while maintaining creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 565 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 870 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg