Buffalo Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Bold pasta dish with shredded chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, and creamy cheese topped with blue cheese crumbs.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or rotini pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast

→ Sauce

03 - 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
04 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Topping

12 - 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions, optional

# How to make it:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the buffalo sauce and stir to combine.
03 - Lower the heat and whisk in the cream cheese until smooth. Pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
04 - Stir in mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
05 - Add the shredded chicken to the sauce and stir until well coated and heated through completely.
06 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
07 - Transfer to serving bowls. Sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese and chopped chives or green onions if desired.
08 - Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • It delivers all the boldness of buffalo wings without the mess of bones and napkins.
  • The creamy sauce cools down the heat just enough to keep you coming back for more.
  • It comes together in about half an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknights or last minute cravings.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and somehow taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • Always soften the cream cheese before adding it to the sauce, or you will end up with stubborn lumps that refuse to blend.
  • Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining, in case the sauce gets too thick and needs a splash to loosen it up.
  • Taste the sauce before adding extra salt, since buffalo sauce and cheeses can be quite salty on their own.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time, and shred it while it is still warm for the most tender texture.
  • If blue cheese is not your thing, swap it for a drizzle of ranch dressing or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar.
  • For extra depth, add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the buffalo mixture before tossing in the chicken.
Return