If you’re a fan of bold flavors and crave a comforting, hearty meal that’s quick to prepare, look no further than Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot. This creamy, spicy dish is a perfect fusion of tangy buffalo chicken and classic pasta, all cooked in a single skillet for maximum convenience and minimum cleanup.
Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner or simply treating yourself to a weeknight indulgence, this recipe is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Packed with tender shredded chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, a rich cheese sauce, and the signature kick of buffalo sauce, this one-pot wonder is a must-try for anyone who loves the fiery flavors of buffalo chicken wings. Let’s dive into how to make this irresistible dish!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pot Convenience: Everything cooks in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
- Bold Flavors: The combination of buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and cheddar creates a tangy, creamy, and spicy masterpiece.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice level, swap blue cheese for ranch, or use your favorite pasta shape.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this delicious Buffalo Chicken Pasta, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Chicken: 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1 lb), cooked and shredded.
- Dressing: ½ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch dressing if you prefer milder flavors).
- Vegetables: ½ cup diced yellow onion, 1 diced celery stalk, and 3 cloves minced garlic.
- Pasta: 1 lb penne pasta (or slightly less for a saucier dish).
- Buffalo Sauce: ½ cup for that signature spicy kick.
- Cheese: 8 oz cream cheese (softened and cubed), 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Broth & Tomatoes: 4 cups chicken broth and 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (undrained).
- Butter: 2 tbsp divided (plus 2 tbsp cold butter for an optional finishing touch).
- Optional Seasoning: A pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
Start by cooking the chicken breast. Place it in a pot of water and bring it to a gentle boil. Let it cook for about 15 minutes or until fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot, shred it using two forks, and toss it with the blue cheese or ranch dressing. Set aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery, sautéing for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
3. Cook the Pasta
Pour the chicken broth and undrained diced tomatoes into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the penne pasta, ensuring it’s fully submerged in the liquid. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook until the pasta reaches an al dente texture, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Make the Sauce
Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the buffalo sauce, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and mozzarella cheese. Mix everything together until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
5. Combine with Chicken
Add the shredded chicken to the skillet and stir to combine well with the pasta and sauce. If you want an extra kick of spice, sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes.
6. Optional Finishing Touch
For an extra velvety finish, stir in 2 tablespoons of cold butter until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
7. Serve and Enjoy
Let the pasta sit for a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Serve warm and enjoy this creamy, spicy masterpiece!
Tips for Perfect Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Softened Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened before adding it to the skillet to ensure smooth melting.
- Freshly Shredded Cheese: For the best texture and flavor, shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded varieties.
- Control the Spice: Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to suit your spice tolerance. Add more if you love heat or reduce it for a milder dish.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Boil the chicken gently to keep it tender and juicy.
- Saucier Pasta: Use slightly less than a pound of pasta if you prefer a saucier dish.
FAQs About Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Q: Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
A: Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken works perfectly in this recipe. Just shred it and toss it with the dressing before adding it to the pasta.
Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A: While Buffalo Chicken Pasta is best served fresh, you can prepare it ahead of time and reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk while reheating to loosen up the sauce.
Q: What can I serve with this dish?
A: This pasta is hearty enough to stand alone as a meal, but you can pair it with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete dinner.
Q: Is there a substitute for buffalo sauce?
A: If you’re not a fan of buffalo sauce, you can use barbecue sauce or hot honey for a different flavor profile.
Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
A: Yes! Simply swap out regular penne pasta for your favorite gluten-free pasta variety.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fat: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1250mg
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot recipe is everything you could want in a comfort food dish—creamy, cheesy, spicy, and incredibly satisfying. It’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don’t have time for complicated cooking or piles of dishes.
With its bold flavors and easy preparation, this one-pot meal is sure to become a favorite in your household. So grab your skillet and get ready to enjoy a plateful of creamy, spicy goodness that’s perfect for any occasion!
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Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: High-Protein
Description
This One Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta is creamy, spicy, and easy to make in a single skillet. Made with tender chicken, pasta, buffalo sauce, and a rich cheese sauce, it’s a perfect meal for buffalo chicken lovers.
Ingredients
1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1 lb)
½ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch dressing)
2 tbsp butter, divided
½ cup yellow onion, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cups chicken broth
1 lb penne pasta
½ cup buffalo sauce
8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
1½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp cold butter (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
Place the chicken breast in a pot of water and bring it to a gentle boil. Cook for about 15 minutes until fully cooked.
Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and toss it with the blue
cheese (or ranch) dressing. Set aside.
Sauté Vegetables:
In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
Add the diced onions and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Cook Pasta:
Pour in the chicken broth and undrained diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
Add the penne pasta, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid.
Cover the skillet and let it boil until the pasta reaches al dente texture, stirring occasionally.
Prepare the Sauce:
Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low.
Stir in the buffalo sauce, cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses. Mix until melted and creamy.
Add the shredded chicken and combine well.
If desired, sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Optional Finishing Touch:
Stir in 2 tablespoons of cold butter until melted and incorporated.
Serve:
Let the pasta sit for a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Serve warm.
Notes
Use slightly less than a pound of pasta for a saucier dish.
Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened for smooth melting.
Boil the chicken gently to keep it tender.
Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded varieties.
Keep the heat on low when adding cheese to prevent separation.
Ranch dressing can be substituted for blue cheese dressing if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1250mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
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