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+ servings
Pasta with shredded chicken and a rich, orange-hued sauce on a white plate.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
A creamy, spicy Buffalo Chicken Pasta prepared with tender chicken, pasta, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch, and melted cheddar. A flavorful one-pot meal ready in 30 minutes.
4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 300 grams 10.5 ounces pasta (such as penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 30 grams 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 450 grams 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium shallot finely diced
  • 2 large garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 250 milliliters 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
  • 150 grams 5.5 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons buffalo wing sauce e.g., Frank’s RedHot
  • 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
  • 100 grams 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 100 grams 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, freshly grated (or substitute Gouda)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Prepare the Pasta:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook for one minute less than the package instructions for al dente texture. Reserve 250 milliliters (1 cup) of pasta water prior to draining. Set the cooked pasta aside.

Sauté the Chicken:

  1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and unsalted butter over medium heat until the butter has melted. Add the diced chicken in a single layer and sauté for approximately 6 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and loosely cover.

Prepare the Sauce Base:

  1. Reduce the heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, add the diced shallot and minced garlic. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until softened and aromatic. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional minute, allowing it to caramelize slightly. Pour in the chicken stock, deglazing the pan by scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Incorporate the Cream Cheese:

  1. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese has fully melted and the mixture is smooth, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing until thoroughly combined.

Combine the Pasta and Chicken:

  1. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat the pasta and chicken with the sauce. If the mixture appears too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Finish with Cheese:

  1. Sprinkle the grated sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the pasta. Fold gently until the cheeses melt completely, resulting in a creamy, velvety sauce. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Serve Immediately:

  1. Transfer the pasta to serving bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or additional buffalo sauce, if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

To prepare this recipe gluten-free, substitute the pasta with a certified gluten-free pasta variety of your choice. Additionally, ensure that all other ingredients, including the buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, and chicken stock, are labeled gluten-free.
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