Buffalo Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

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

# 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 blue cheese crumbled
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.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It brings together the addictive flavor of buffalo wings and the satisfaction of creamy pasta in one skillet.
  • You can adjust the heat easily, making it mild for kids or fiery for spice lovers.
  • It comes together in about half an hour, perfect for weeknight dinners without much fuss.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day once the flavors have melted together.
02 -
  • Always soften the cream cheese before adding it, or you'll end up with lumps that refuse to blend smoothly.
  • Don't skip tossing the pasta in the skillet—coating it off the heat makes the sauce cling better than pouring sauce over cold noodles.
  • Taste the buffalo sauce before you start, some brands are much hotter than others and you might want to dial back the amount.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time and add a layer of roasted flavor you can't get from plain poached chicken.
  • Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining—it's the secret weapon for loosening the sauce without diluting the flavor.
  • Add the blue cheese right before serving so it stays crumbly and sharp instead of melting into the sauce.
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