Spicy & Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta: The Ultimate 35-Minute Comfort Food Recipe
Prepare your taste buds for a sensational culinary experience with this incredible Buffalo chicken pasta! This dish brings a vibrant kick of heat to your dinner table, enveloped in a rich, velvety, and undeniably spicy sauce. Best of all, this comforting meal can be ready in an astonishing 35 minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights when you crave something extraordinary without the fuss. It’s an explosion of creamy, zesty, and spicy flavors that will leave everyone at the table asking for seconds. Get ready to transform your ordinary pasta night into an exciting flavor adventure!
Why This Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe is a Must-Try
This Buffalo chicken pasta isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a creamy, flavor-packed rendition of a beloved classic, offering a richer, more indulgent experience than even our popular Buffalo Chicken Casserole. What truly makes this dish shine is its harmonious blend of bold flavors and comforting textures, all delivered with remarkable speed.
At its heart is a mouth-watering sauce crafted from luscious cream cheese and your favorite hot sauce, creating a perfectly balanced profile that’s both tangy and spicy. This rich base beautifully coats hearty penne pasta and succulent, tender chicken, ensuring every bite is a burst of savory delight. It strikes that ideal balance – equal parts creamy, spicy, and profoundly satisfying – designed to bring warmth and excitement to your meal in a mere 35 minutes from start to finish. This recipe eliminates the lengthy prep and cook times often associated with gourmet meals, proving that delicious, home-cooked food can indeed be quick and effortless.
While this dish carries a delightful warmth, it’s not designed to be overwhelmingly spicy. Instead, the pleasant kick of heat against the creamy backdrop offers a welcoming, tingly sensation that enhances the overall experience rather than overpowering it. Even those who might shy away from intensely hot dishes will find themselves thoroughly enjoying a generous bowl of this tangy and addictive Buffalo chicken pasta. It’s a testament to how well contrasting flavors can come together to create something truly special and universally appealing. It’s the ultimate comfort food with a fiery twist, perfect for family dinners, game nights, or simply when you need a quick, satisfying pick-me-up.
Gather Your Ingredients: What You’ll Need for Buffalo Chicken Pasta
To embark on this flavorful journey, you’ll need a selection of pantry staples and fresh ingredients that come together to create the magic of Buffalo chicken pasta. For precise measurements, a comprehensive list, and detailed instructions, please refer to the printable version of this recipe conveniently located at the end of this post. Having all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking will ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience, especially for a dish that comes together so quickly!
Ingredient Insight & Clever Substitution Ideas
Understanding each ingredient’s role and knowing potential substitutions can elevate your cooking game and help you tailor this recipe to your preferences or what you have on hand.
PASTA – The foundation of any great pasta dish is, well, the pasta itself! For this recipe, tubular pasta shapes like penne, mostaccioli, ziti, or rigatoni are highly recommended. Their hollow centers and ridged surfaces are ideal for capturing and holding onto the thick, creamy Buffalo sauce, ensuring a flavorful bite every time. Cook your chosen pasta al dente according to package directions, as it will continue to cook slightly when combined with the hot sauce. This ensures a perfect texture, avoiding a mushy result.
CHICKEN – You’ll need 2 cups of cooked chicken breasts for this recipe. This offers excellent flexibility. You can easily cook up about 2 medium-sized boneless, skinless chicken breasts by boiling, baking, or pan-frying them until cooked through and then shredding or cubing. For an even quicker preparation, consider using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store – simply shred or cube the meat. If you prefer a slightly richer flavor and juicier texture, cooked chicken thigh meat will also work beautifully and can be prepared in the same manner.
SAUCE – The heart and soul of this Buffalo chicken pasta is its incredibly rich and spicy sauce. When it comes to hot sauce, feel free to use your favorite brand; however, we find that Frank’s Red Hot provides that classic, tangy Buffalo flavor that is absolutely essential for this dish. The creaminess and richness come from a combination of cream cheese, heavy cream, shredded mozzarella, and grated parmesan. These dairy components are crucial for achieving the desired luxurious texture and balanced flavor, so we highly recommend sticking to them without substitution if possible. They create a smooth, luscious base that mellows the heat and binds all the flavors together. To round out the sauce and add aromatic depth and texture, we’ll incorporate canned diced tomatoes (lightly drained to prevent the sauce from becoming too watery), finely sliced onions, and aromatic minced garlic. These additions contribute layers of flavor that make the sauce truly irresistible.
Crafting Your Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta: Step-by-Step Guide
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are provided to help you visualize and confidently execute this delicious recipe. For a convenient, printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and instructions, you can Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this page.
- **Sauté Aromatics:** Begin by heating olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. You’ll know the oil is ready when it starts to shimmer gently. Add the minced garlic and stir continuously for about 1 minute, allowing its fragrant aroma to fill your kitchen. Next, add the sliced onions to the skillet. Continue to cook and stir for another 2-3 minutes, or until the onions have softened and become translucent. This step builds the foundational flavor of your sauce.
- **Incorporate Tomatoes and Cream Cheese:** Add the lightly drained diced tomatoes to the skillet with the sautéed onions and garlic, stirring them together to combine. Then, add the cream cheese directly into the skillet. Use the back of your spatula or a wooden spoon to gently smash the cream cheese against the bottom and sides of the pan. This helps it melt and integrate smoothly into the other ingredients, creating a creamy texture without lumps. Continue stirring until the cream cheese is mostly incorporated.
- **Build the Creamy Buffalo Sauce:** Now, pour in the heavy whipping cream, followed by both the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheeses, and finally, the hot sauce. Stir all these ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined and the cheeses have melted into a smooth, luxurious sauce. Keep the heat at medium-low to prevent scorching and ensure a perfectly uniform sauce. This is where the magic happens, as all the creamy, spicy, and tangy flavors meld together.
- **Combine and Heat Through:** Lastly, add your cooked chicken (cubed or shredded) and the al dente cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy Buffalo sauce. Stir everything together gently but thoroughly, ensuring that every piece of chicken and every strand of pasta is generously coated in the rich sauce. Continue to cook for a few more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the entire dish is heated through and bubbling slightly. This final step allows the flavors to truly meld and ensures a piping hot, satisfying meal.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Once your Buffalo chicken pasta has cooled completely, transfer any leftovers to an air-tight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat individual portions in the microwave, adding a small splash of water or milk to help remoisten the pasta and sauce. Alternatively, you can reheat it gently over medium-low heat in a skillet on the stovetop, stirring often, until it’s warmed through. This method also benefits from a little extra liquid to restore its creamy texture.
While this pasta dish is best enjoyed fresh due to its quick cooking time, you can certainly do some prep work in advance. Cook and chop your chicken, mince your garlic, and slice your onions a day or two before. You can also cook your pasta al dente. Store these components separately in the refrigerator. When it’s time to cook, simply proceed with step 1, combining the prepped ingredients, and your meal will come together even faster.
The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability! If you prefer a milder flavor, start with half the amount of hot sauce and taste before adding more. For those who love an extra fiery kick, feel free to increase the hot sauce to ½ cup or even more. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite spicy chili flakes along with the hot sauce for an intensified heat.
For that authentic Buffalo flavor, Frank’s Red Hot is a classic and highly recommended choice due to its distinct vinegary tang and moderate heat. However, if you have a favorite hot sauce that you typically use for Buffalo-style dishes, don’t hesitate to use it! Just be mindful of its inherent spice level and adjust the quantity accordingly.
While the recipe calls for pre-cooked pasta and chicken, you can easily adapt this to a one-pot dish if your skillet is large enough and has deep sides. You would first cook your chicken (if not using rotisserie), remove it, then build the sauce, and finally, add uncooked pasta and enough liquid (chicken broth + heavy cream) to cook the pasta directly in the sauce. This would increase the total cooking time beyond 35 minutes, so keep that in mind!
Elevate Your Meal: Delicious Serving Suggestions
Buffalo chicken pasta is a hearty and flavorful dish on its own, but pairing it with complementary sides can turn it into a complete and unforgettable meal. Serve your warm Buffalo chicken pasta immediately, garnished generously with crumbled blue cheese for an authentic Buffalo flavor twist and a sprinkle of freshly sliced chives or green onions for a touch of freshness and color. For a classic pairing, garlic bread or warm breadsticks are perfect for soaking up every last drop of the creamy, spicy sauce. A crisp, fresh dinner salad with a light vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta, making it an always welcome starter or accompaniment. You could also consider serving with a side of celery and carrot sticks with ranch or blue cheese dressing, mimicking the traditional Buffalo wing experience.
More Irresistible Pasta Recipes to Explore
If you loved this Buffalo chicken pasta, you’re in for a treat! Our collection of pasta recipes offers a wide array of flavors and styles, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every craving. Explore these other fantastic pasta dishes:
- Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Buffalo Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Penne with Tomato Sage Sausage Sauce
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
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Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta cooked al dente
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ cup sliced onions
- ½ cup canned diced tomatoes slightly drained, see notes below
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup hot sauce such as Frank’s red hot
Things You’ll Need
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Large heavy bottomed skillet with deep sides
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Rubber spatula
Before You Begin
- We didn’t drain the tomatoes completely, but did drain off excess liquid to prevent the sauce from becoming too thin.
- Penne, mostaccioli, ziti, or rigatoni are all excellent choices for pasta in this recipe, as their shapes hold the creamy sauce well.
- You will need 2 cups of cooked chicken breasts. This can be prepared by cooking 2 chicken breasts or by cubing meat from a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for extra convenience. Cooked chicken thigh meat can also be used for a richer flavor.
- For the hot sauce, feel free to use your favorite brand to achieve your preferred spice level. We particularly enjoy Frank’s Red Hot for its authentic Buffalo flavor profile.
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add minced garlic and stir, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Add in onion and cook/stir for another 2-3 minutes or until tender and translucent.
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Add diced tomatoes to the skillet and stir to combine. Incorporate the cream cheese, using the back of a spatula to smash and stir it until it begins to melt and blend smoothly with the other ingredients.
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Pour in the heavy cream, both shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheeses, and the hot sauce. Stir well to combine all ingredients into a rich, creamy sauce, ensuring the cheeses are fully melted.
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Add the cooked chicken and al dente pasta to the skillet. Stir everything together thoroughly, coating the chicken and pasta evenly with the creamy Buffalo sauce. Continue to cook for a few more minutes, or until the entire dish is heated through and simmering gently.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- **Storing Leftovers:** Store cooled Buffalo chicken pasta in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, a microwave works well, or you can use a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small splash of water or milk to the pasta before reheating to help restore its moisture and creamy texture.
- **Spice Control:** For a milder flavor, start with less hot sauce and add more to taste. For extra heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper with the hot sauce.
- **Chicken Prep:** Using a rotisserie chicken significantly cuts down on prep time. If cooking chicken breasts from scratch, pan-frying or baking them and then cubing or shredding works perfectly.
- **Pasta Type:** Any sturdy, medium-sized pasta shape like penne, ziti, rigatoni, or mostaccioli will work great, as they hold the thick sauce well.
Nutrition Information
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.