Description
Buffalo chicken pasta is the ultimate comfort food with a spicy twist. The rich, creamy sauce, combined with the zesty heat of buffalo sauce, pairs perfectly with tender chicken and pasta. It’s a one-pot meal that’s easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs (diced)
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or any pasta shape you like)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking the chicken)
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (adjust based on how spicy you like it)
- ½ cup cream cheese (for a creamy texture)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for that melty, cheesy goodness)
- ½ cup heavy cream (for a rich, smooth sauce)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking your pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water in case you need to thin the sauce later.
- Cook the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until fully cooked through, stirring occasionally. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Stir everything together, letting the cream cheese melt and the sauce thicken. If the sauce gets too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce and stir to coat the chicken in the buffalo sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. Add shredded mozzarella cheese and stir until the cheese has melted into the sauce, creating a creamy, cheesy coating on the pasta.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the buffalo chicken pasta hot, topped with chopped green onions for an extra pop of flavor and color. You can also sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese or crumbled blue cheese if you like.
- Enjoy: Dig in and enjoy the spicy, creamy, cheesy goodness of this delicious buffalo chicken pasta!
Notes
- Adjust the Spice: Feel free to adjust the amount of buffalo sauce depending on your tolerance for spice. If you’re serving it to kids, you can use a milder buffalo sauce or reduce the amount used.
- Add Vegetables: For extra nutrition, consider adding veggies like spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers to the pasta. These can be stirred in with the chicken or sautéed separately and added at the end.
- Make It Lighter: Use light cream cheese, low-fat mozzarella, and milk instead of cream for a lighter version of this dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Buffalo Chicken Pasta, Spicy Pasta, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Chicken Pasta Recipe