This creamy buffalo chicken pasta recipe brings the heat of buffalo wings into a rich, cheesy penne dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, it is quick, incredibly flavorful, and guaranteed to satisfy the whole family.
Ingredients
For the Main Dish:
8 oz penne pasta
2 large chicken breasts, cubed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and coarse cracked black pepper to taste
For the Creamy Buffalo Sauce:
1 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup buffalo hot sauce (like Frank's RedHot)
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
For the Garnish:
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp dried Italian herbs or parsley
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
2. Sear the Chicken
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cubed chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and cracked black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Build the Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the buffalo hot sauce, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes a smooth, glossy, vibrant orange.
4. Combine and Simmer
Stir the mozzarella cheese into the sauce until melted. Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is beautifully coated. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired creaminess.
5. Garnish and Serve
Divide the pasta into bowls. For the ultimate finish, top the buffalo chicken pasta generously with coarse cracked black pepper, dried herbs, and a dusting of grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot and bubbly.
Why You'll Love This Dish
This buffalo chicken pasta is the ultimate comfort food crossover. The tangy kick from the hot sauce perfectly balances the rich creaminess of the cheeses, ensuring every single bite of buffalo chicken pasta is packed with flavor. It is a fantastic option for meal prep because buffalo chicken pasta actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
If you want to customize your buffalo chicken pasta, you can easily swap the penne for rigatoni or even sub in rotisserie chicken to make this buffalo chicken pasta an even quicker 15-minute meal. No matter how you twist it, this buffalo chicken pasta will quickly earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation. Enjoy your homemade buffalo chicken pasta!
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