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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain thoroughly and reserve.
- 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.
- Whisk buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform in texture.
- Introduce shredded chicken to the creamy sauce, gently stirring to ensure complete coating and heating through for 2-3 minutes.
- Fold the drained pasta into the chicken and sauce mixture, tossing carefully to distribute ingredients evenly and create a consistent coating.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta, stirring until completely melted and integrated into the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, tasting to ensure balanced flavor profile.
- 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