Description
Spicy buffalo chicken pasta combines zesty flavors from classic wing sauce with creamy pasta perfection. Hearty ingredients and bold seasonings create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave on game nights or whenever comfort food calls.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups chicken, shredded
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
Pasta and Main Components:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 cup Buffalo sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, following package guidelines; drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Melt butter in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, releasing garlic’s aromatic essence until golden and fragrant.
- Whisk together Buffalo sauce, heavy cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion powder, and paprika, creating a velvety, smooth sauce.
- Incorporate shredded chicken into the creamy mixture, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to heat through for 3-4 minutes.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the spicy, creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, balancing the bold, tangy flavors.
- Transfer to serving dishes, adorning with freshly chopped green onions and optional drizzle of cooling ranch or zesty blue cheese dressing.
Notes
- Adjust Buffalo sauce quantity to match personal heat tolerance, using mild or adding hot sauce gradually for perfect flavor balance.
- Replace chicken with shredded rotisserie, turkey, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for diverse dietary preferences.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack or smoked gouda to create unique flavor profiles and creaminess.
- Prepare sauce and chicken separately, storing in refrigerator for quick assembly during busy weeknights, maintaining optimal texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg