Description
A bold, creamy pasta dish with spicy buffalo sauce, tender chicken, and melty cheese. Perfect for family dinners, parties, or when you’re craving a comforting yet exciting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups penne pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup buffalo sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional)
- Chopped green onions and parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove, let rest, then shred or dice.
- Prepare the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Make the Sauce: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add buffalo sauce and stir until smooth. Mix in cream cheese until melted, then slowly whisk in heavy cream for a creamy base.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time.
- Optional Baking Step: For an extra cheesy finish, transfer to a greased baking dish, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with green onions and parsley. Serve immediately with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired.
Notes
- Adjust Spice to Taste: The heat level of this dish depends on the buffalo sauce you use and the ratio of hot sauce to butter. For a milder version, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or add extra cream cheese and heavy cream to balance the heat.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Keeping some pasta water helps you adjust the sauce’s consistency. Adding a splash can loosen a thick sauce without diluting the flavor.
- Optional Baking for Extra Cheesiness: Baking the dish with a mozzarella cheese topping creates a golden, bubbly finish that adds extra flavor and texture. This step is optional but worth it if you have time!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins