Save A spicy, creamy one-pan pasta dish featuring tender chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and melted cheese, perfect for a quick, flavorful dinner.
This skillet recipe quickly became a favorite for my family on weeknights. The kick from the buffalo sauce and the creamy cheeses make it so comforting after a long day.
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken breast: 2 cups (about 250 g), shredded or diced
- Penne or rotini pasta: 8 oz (225 g), uncooked
- Celery: 1 cup (120 g), thinly sliced
- Red bell pepper: 1/2 cup (60 g), diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Green onions: 1/4 cup (25 g), sliced (plus extra for garnish)
- Low-sodium chicken broth: 2 cups (480 ml)
- Buffalo wing sauce: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
- Cream cheese: 4 oz (115 g), softened and cubed
- Mozzarella cheese: 1 cup (115 g), shredded
- Blue cheese (optional): 1/2 cup (60 g), crumbled
- Milk: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Black pepper: 1/4 tsp
- Smoked paprika: 1/2 tsp
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables:
- In a large, deep skillet over medium heat, add a splash of oil and sauté celery, red bell pepper, and garlic until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add pasta and liquids:
- Add the uncooked pasta, chicken broth, buffalo sauce, and milk. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Simmer:
- Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Make it creamy:
- Stir in the cooked chicken, cream cheese, mozzarella, blue cheese (if using), salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix until cheeses melt and the sauce is creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Finish & garnish:
- Fold in green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat. Garnish with extra green onions and a drizzle of buffalo sauce, if desired. Serve hot.
Save We always share a big bowl of this buffalo chicken pasta on game night, each person customizing their bowl with extra sauce and green onions. It disappears fast!
Required Tools
Large deep skillet with lid, wooden spoon or spatula, knife and cutting board, measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cream cheese, mozzarella, blue cheese, milk) and gluten (pasta). Buffalo sauce may contain traces of soy. Always read ingredient labels carefully.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 560, Total Fat: 23 g, Carbohydrates: 48 g, Protein: 38 g
Save Try this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Skillet whenever you need a fast, flavor-packed dinner. Leftovers reheat beautifully for next-day lunches!
Recipe FAQ Section
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Penne or rotini pasta are ideal as they hold the sauce well and cook evenly in the skillet.
- → Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, increase the buffalo sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to suit your heat preference.
- → Is there a way to make this dish creamier?
Adding cream cheese and mixing in mozzarella helps create a rich, creamy texture throughout the dish.
- → What vegetables are included and why?
Celery, red bell pepper, and green onions add crunch, sweetness, and freshness that balance the spicy sauce.
- → Can I substitute the chicken with another protein?
Yes, rotisserie chicken is a convenient substitute that saves prep time without sacrificing flavor.