Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a bold and comforting dish that brings together tender shredded chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, and a velvety cheese sauce. Finished with tangy blue cheese crumbles, it is a satisfying meal that delivers a flavorful kick in every bite.

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Whether you are looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish for game day, this recipe provides a gourmet twist on classic American comfort food. The combination of melted cream cheese and sharp blue cheese creates a sophisticated depth of flavor.

Ingredients

• Pasta: 350 g (12 oz) penne or rotini pasta
• Chicken: 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast (about 2 medium breasts)
• Sauce: 120 ml (½ cup) buffalo wing sauce, 60 g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, 120 ml (½ cup) heavy cream, 120 g (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese, 60 g (½ cup) cream cheese (softened), 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp smoked paprika, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Topping: 75 g (½ cup) blue cheese (crumbled), 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or green onions (optional)

Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the buffalo sauce and stir to combine.

Step 3

Lower the heat and whisk in the cream cheese until smooth. Pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly until the sauce is creamy.

Step 4

Stir in mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the cheese is fully melted.

Step 5

Add the shredded chicken to the sauce and stir until well coated and heated through.

Step 6

Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.

Step 7

Transfer to serving bowls. Sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese and chopped chives or green onions, if desired.

Step 8

Serve immediately while hot.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For ultimate convenience, you can substitute the chicken breast with a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. To ensure a perfectly smooth sauce, make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before whisking it into the skillet.

Varianten und Anpassungen

If you prefer extra heat, add a dash of cayenne pepper or an additional drizzle of hot sauce before serving. For those who aren't fans of blue cheese, ranch dressing makes an excellent creamy substitute for the topping.

Serviervorschläge

This hearty pasta pairs beautifully with a crisp celery salad to add a fresh crunch. To drink, a cold lager provides the perfect refreshing contrast to the spicy buffalo flavors.

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With 37g of protein and 610 calories per serving, this Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a substantial and satisfying meal. Enjoy the perfect blend of spice and creaminess in every forkful.

Questions & Answers

→ Can I use a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts?

Yes, rotisserie chicken is a convenient substitute. Simply shred about 2 cups of meat from the cooked bird and add it to the sauce in step 5. This saves significant preparation time without compromising flavor.

→ How can I adjust the spice level?

For milder heat, use less buffalo sauce or choose a mild wing sauce variety. For extra spice, add cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or increase the buffalo sauce amount to taste before serving.

→ What pasta shapes work best for this dish?

Penne and rotini are ideal choices as their ridges and spiral shapes trap the creamy sauce effectively. Farfalle or fusilli also work well. Avoid flat pastas like fettuccine as they don't hold the sauce as effectively.

→ Can I make this dish dairy-free?

You can substitute dairy ingredients with alternatives: use dairy-free butter, coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream, and dairy-free cheese alternatives. The texture and flavor will differ slightly but remain enjoyable.

→ What are good side dish pairings?

Serve alongside a crisp celery salad with ranch dressing to cool the palate, or pair with a fresh garden salad. A cold lager or crisp white wine complements the bold buffalo flavors beautifully.

→ Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Cook the pasta and prepare the sauce separately, then refrigerate both for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of cream before combining. Add the blue cheese topping just before serving for best results.