Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Perfectly sautéed cajun seasoned chicken is coated in a creamy buffalo blue cheese sauce and then tossed with penne to make this incredible Buffalo Chicken Pasta! Your family will love this addictively good pasta dish based on the famous flavor combination. It’s a simple, quick and easy recipe that you can whip together in under 30 minutes! 

Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe

If you’ve never tried a buffalo chicken inspired dish then you are missing out! Buffalo sauce is one of my favorite ingredients to work with and I’ve crafted several finger food recipes like Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins and Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels that will knock your socks off! But I’ve also created unbelievably tasty buffalo chicken inspired pasta dishes too like my Buffalo Chicken Lasagna.

And just like the lasagna, this Buffalo Chicken Pasta is full of buffalo sauce, blue cheese, and chicken but it only takes about half the time to make. In fact, you only need 3 ingredients to make the sauce and it comes together in minutes. Of course, the most important ingredient is buffalo sauce and when it’s combined with heavy cream and blue cheese it creates a creamy sauce that is savory with a kick of spice. There is no doubt about it! This pasta is lick your plate good!

• Pasta – I used penne pasta, but any type of pasta like rotini, bowtie, or fusilli will work.
• Olive Oil – I like to use extra virgin olive oil for the flavor. But any type of vegetable oil can be used. 
• Butter – Always use unsalted butter in cooking to control the level of sodium unless a recipe states otherwise.
• Chicken – You will need boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. And in a pinch, you could use shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken.
• Cajun Spice – Used to season the dish and add a bit of heat. 
• Chicken Bouillon – Helps to add even more chicken flavor to the dish.
• Onion – Brown or yellow onion adds fantastic flavor, but any type of onion you have on hand is fine.
• Garlic – Always use fresh minced garlic for the best taste. You can use jarred garlic, but it sometimes has an odd sour taste unless it has just been opened.
• Bell Peppers – I used both red and green bell peppers, but you can use whatever you have in your fridge.
• Buffalo Sauce – The star ingredient. You can use any homemade buffalo sauce or store-bought variety you like.
• Heavy Cream – Also called whipping cream, adds richness and creaminess to the sauce. 
• Blue Cheese – Buffalo sauce and blue cheese are a great combination. Yet, you can leave it out or use cheddar cheese if you don’t like blue cheese.
• Parsley – Used to garnish the pasta, fresh chopped parsley adds a touch of fresh herb flavor.

How To Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This simple recipe is loaded with flavor but super easy to make! The chicken coated in a creamy buffalo blue cheese sauce comes together in just minutes and then all you have to do is toss it together with some pasta! 

Cook The Pasta

Start by cooking the pasta. So bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Now, add the penne and cook it according to the package directions. Then when the pasta is done, drain it and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. Now, set the cooked pasta and reserved water aside for a later step.

Cook The Chicken

Next, you need to saute the chicken. Heat the olive oil along with the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Then add the chicken breast pieces to the pan, sprinkle them with the cajun spice, and crumbled up chicken bouillon. Now, cook the chicken for about 5 minutes or until it is no longer pink and cooked through. 

Add The Onion And Garlic

Once the chicken is cooked, add the onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the skillet and stir to combine. Then cook the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes until the vegetables soften. 

Make The Sauce And Add The Pasta

With the chicken and vegetables cooked, stir in the Buffalo sauce, heavy cream, and blue cheese. Now, bring the mixture to a boil.

Then add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir everything together. At this point, add a bit of the reserved pasta water if needed to thin out the sauce. Then, garnish the finished buffalo chicken pasta with some fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with a side of hot sauce if you like. 

Can I Use Other Types Of Meat?

Yes! You can make this recipe with turkey, shrimp, sausage, or pork. You could even add some finely chopped bacon to the dish. And if you don’t like blue cheese feel free to use other types of cheese in its place.

What Does It Mean To Cook Pasta Al Dente?

Pasta is best when cooked “al dente”, which means it’s tender but still firm to the bite. I always suggest checking the doneness of the pasta about 2 minutes before the package directions indicate.

Storage

Buffalo chicken pasta will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container. To reheat the leftovers, simply put it in the microwave for a few minutes on medium heat or in a skillet. If frozen, allow the pasta to thaw out overnight in the fridge before reheating the next day.

Other Delicious Pasta Recipes To Try

• Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta
• One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
• Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
• Pasta Puttanesca
• Chili Mac And Cheese