Description

Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a mouthwatering fusion of spicy buffalo chicken flavors with the creamy goodness of pasta. This one-pot dish features tender chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and a rich, cheesy sauce that coats every bite. It’s a perfect blend of comfort food and bold flavors, ideal for quick dinners or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, equal to 1 lb.
½ cup blue cheese dressing, can sub ranch
2 Tablespoons butter, divided
½ cup yellow onion, diced
1 stick celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained, (1 can)
4 cups chicken broth
1 lb. penne
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
8 oz. cream cheese, softened and cubed
1.5 cups cheddar, shredded
1 cup mozzarella, shredded
1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
2 tablespoons cold butter, optional

Instructions

PRO Tip: Set the cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese out ahead of time. We want them near room temperature when we add them to the pasta.

Gently Boil/Shred the Chicken:

Place chicken in a pot of water and bring to a gentle boil. (A gentle boil ensures that the chicken doesn’t become tough.) Cook for 15 minutes, until cooked through. Remove and use two forks to shred. Toss with blue cheese dressing and set aside.
Pro Tip: Add 1-2 chicken bouillon cubes to the water to add more flavor to the chicken.

Prepare the Pasta:

Melt butter in a large high-walled skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and celery. Cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add the undrained diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and add the pasta. Submerge the pasta into the liquid and let it come back up to a boil.
Cover and let it boil for 10-13 minutes, or until al dente. Refer to box for guidance on cooking time. Don’t cook any more than al dente as we will be keeping it over low heat until the sauce is thickened. Lift the lid and run a silicone spatula underneath the pasta a few times throughout cooking to ensure the pasta doesn’t stick. Test a pasta noodle for doneness before proceeding.
Reduce heat to low. Add the buffalo sauce, cubed cream cheese, and shredded cheese. Use a silicone spatula to gently stir. The sauce will seem thin at first, but it continues to thicken as it stands, and will thicken further at the next step.
Add the shredded chicken and red pepper flakes.
Optional: Once sauce is near your desired consistency, swirl in 2 Tablespoons COLD butter. This is a technique that chefs use called “Monter au Beurre”, which creates a smooth finish when added to warm sauces.

Notes

Feel free to customize this recipe to suit your taste! Adjust the spice level, try different cheeses, or add extra veggies to make it your own. For a milder version, substitute some buffalo sauce with ranch dressing or additional cream cheese.