Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe: Comfort Food with a Kick

Whipping up a mouthwatering buffalo chicken pasta takes mere minutes and promises explosive flavor combinations.

Spicy notes dance across tender noodles, creating a culinary adventure you cannot resist.

Creamy sauce blends seamlessly with crispy chicken chunks, delivering a punch of zesty goodness.

Comfort food meets bold excitement in this simple yet remarkable dish.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become extraordinary with minimal preparation and maximum satisfaction.

Quick cooking techniques ensure you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying delicious moments.

One bite will transport you to a world of tantalizing textures and irresistible tastes that demand seconds.

Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Pasta: A classic foundation that absorbs the rich and spicy buffalo chicken sauce perfectly.

• Chicken: Tender pieces of protein that bring hearty flavor and substance to the dish.

• Cream Cheese, Ranch Dressing, Buffalo Wing Sauce: A creamy and tangy trio that creates a smooth, spicy base for the pasta.
• Chicken Stock: A flavorful liquid that helps build depth in the sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Adds rich, concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

• Shallot, Garlic: Provide a subtle, savory foundation that elevates the overall taste profile.

• Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese: Melty cheeses that add richness and create a velvety texture.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Provide a rich base for sautéing and add depth of flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

• Parsley: Adds a fresh, green touch and light herbal note.

How to Prepare Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Get a large pot, add salt to the water, and bring it to a rolling boil. Drop in the pasta and cook it just shy of the package’s recommended time.

Scoop out a cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and setting it aside.

Step 2: Cook Chicken to Golden Perfection

Warm up a skillet with olive oil and butter until the butter melts completely.

Spread chicken pieces in a single layer and cook them, flipping occasionally, until they turn a beautiful golden brown and are fully cooked through. Move the chicken to a plate and cover loosely.

Step 3: Create Flavor Foundation

• Diced shallots
• Minced garlic

Sauté until they become soft and release their aromatic magic. Mix in tomato paste and let it caramelize for a moment.

Pour chicken stock into the pan, scraping up all those delicious browned bits, and let it simmer gently.

Step 4: Whisk in Creamy Goodness

Drop softened cream cheese into the skillet.

Whisk like crazy until it melts completely and becomes silky smooth. Stir in buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing until they’re fully combined.

Step 5: Marry Pasta and Chicken

Reunite the cooked chicken and drained pasta in the skillet. Toss everything together so each piece gets a luxurious sauce coating.

If the mixture looks too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time.

Step 6: Melt Cheese Magic

• Grated cheddar cheese
• Monterey Jack cheese

Gently fold until the cheeses melt into a velvety sauce.

Season with salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Dish out into bowls and sprinkle with chopped parsley or add an extra drizzle of buffalo sauce if you’re feeling adventurous.

Dive in while it’s hot and creamy!

Tips for Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed, preventing a dry or thick texture.
• Achieve golden-brown chicken by cooking in a single layer and avoiding overcrowding the pan.
• Whisk cream cheese thoroughly to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce that coats pasta evenly.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting buffalo wing sauce amount for mild or spicy preferences.
• Enhance flavor by using high-quality cheese and seasoning generously with salt and pepper.

Variations of Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Vegetarian Buffalo Cauliflower Pasta: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower florets tossed in buffalo sauce for a plant-based alternative that maintains bold flavors and protein-rich texture.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Swap traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles to create a lighter, gluten-free option that reduces carbohydrate intake while keeping the spicy buffalo sauce profile.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use cashew cream instead of cream cheese and nutritional yeast in place of cheddar cheese to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals without sacrificing creamy consistency.
• Spice Level Customization: Adjust buffalo sauce quantity to create mild, medium, or extra-hot versions, allowing personalized heat preferences for different palates and spice tolerances.

Pairing Suggestions for Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Light, crisp lagers or pale ales cut through the spicy buffalo sauce, providing a refreshing contrast that cleanses the palate and balances the creamy pasta.
• Chilled Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc offer subtle sweetness and acidity that complement the tangy buffalo chicken, neutralizing heat while enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Citrus-based cocktails like margaritas or mojitos deliver bright, zesty notes that match the buffalo sauce's intensity, creating a vibrant dining experience.

Storage Advice for Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Transfer cooled pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Pack pasta in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Place pasta in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of water or extra buffalo sauce. Cover with microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

FAQs

• What is buffalo sauce made of?

Buffalo sauce typically combines hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot) with melted butter, creating a spicy and tangy condiment that gives dishes their signature heat and flavor.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute the pasta with penne, rotini, or fusilli. These shapes hold sauce well and work great in creamy pasta dishes.

• How spicy is this buffalo chicken pasta?

The spice level depends on the buffalo sauce brand. You can control heat by using mild hot sauce or adjusting the amount of sauce added to the recipe.

• Is this recipe gluten-free friendly?

To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure your hot sauce and ranch dressing are gluten-free certified. Always check ingredient labels carefully.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Overview

• Savor Quick Comfort: This buffalo chicken pasta delivers a satisfying meal with minimal cooking steps and maximum flavor explosion.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels and cheese combinations to match personal taste preferences, making it adaptable for different palates.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and casual gatherings where everyone craves something hearty and delicious.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Uses common kitchen staples that most home cooks already have, reducing grocery shopping stress and simplifying meal preparation.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy buffalo chicken pasta blends spicy buffalo sauce with tender chicken for a crowd-pleasing meal. Home cooks can enjoy this zesty dish that combines comfort and heat in one satisfying plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a vigorous boil. Submerge pasta and cook until just shy of al dente, approximately 1 minute less than package recommendations. Extract and reserve 250 ml of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
2. Warm olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat until butter liquefies completely. Arrange chicken pieces in a single, uncrowded layer. Sear for 6-7 minutes, rotating periodically, until achieving a golden exterior and ensuring thorough internal cooking. Transfer protein to a covered plate.
3. Decrease heat to medium-low. Introduce finely chopped shallots and crushed garlic, sautéing until translucent and aromatic. Incorporate tomato paste, allowing it to caramelize briefly. Deglaze with chicken stock, scraping accumulated browned fragments from pan surface, then allow to simmer gently.
4. Introduce softened cream cheese, whisking continuously until achieving a seamless, velvety consistency. Integrate buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing, stirring until thoroughly combined.
5. Reintroduce cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet, thoroughly coating with sauce. Adjust sauce viscosity by incrementally adding reserved pasta water if needed.
6. Sprinkle grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the mixture. Fold delicately until cheeses melt into a luxurious, smooth sauce. Season with salt and pepper according to preference.
7. Plate immediately, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley or an extra drizzle of buffalo sauce. Serve piping hot for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Always reserve some starchy pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every noodle.
• Pat chicken pieces dry before cooking to ensure a golden, crispy exterior that locks in juicy flavor.
• Adjust buffalo sauce quantity to personalize heat intensity, making the dish mild or fiery according to individual preferences.
• If sauce breaks or looks grainy, whisk in a splash of cold water or additional cream cheese to restore smooth texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 493 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 458 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 97 mg