Buffalo Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)

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

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or rotini pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast

→ Sauce

03 - ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
04 - ¼ cup unsalted butter
05 - ½ cup heavy cream
06 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - ½ cup cream cheese, softened
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
10 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Topping

12 - ½ 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 is creamy.
04 - Stir in mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the cheese is fully melted.
05 - Add the shredded chicken to the sauce and stir until well coated and heated through.
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 Advice:

01 -
  • It delivers all the bold buffalo flavor you crave without the mess of wings.
  • The creamy sauce clings to every piece of pasta, making each bite ridiculously satisfying.
  • You can have dinner on the table in 35 minutes with minimal cleanup.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • Always soften the cream cheese before adding it or you will end up with lumps that refuse to melt.
  • Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining, it is a lifesaver if your sauce gets too thick.
  • Do not skip tasting the sauce before adding the chicken, buffalo sauces vary wildly in heat and salt.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken and you will cut your prep time in half without sacrificing flavor.
  • Toss the drained pasta with a tiny bit of olive oil before adding it to the sauce so it does not clump while you finish cooking.
  • If you want extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of sour cream at the very end.
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