Description
This One Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken breast with classic buffalo sauce and creamy cheeses for a flavorful, easy-to-make meal. Cooked entirely in one pot, it delivers a spicy and cheesy pasta dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- ½ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 stick celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (undrained)
Pantry Staples
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb penne pasta
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast and cook until it is no longer pink inside, ensuring it’s fully cooked through for a tender, juicy texture.
- Sauté aromatics: Push the cooked chicken to one side of the skillet and add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Sauté the diced yellow onions, celery, and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant, which will build the flavor base of the dish.
- Add liquids and pasta: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, penne pasta, buffalo sauce, and softened cream cheese until everything is well combined and the cream cheese begins to melt, creating a creamy sauce.
- Simmer the pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed some of the sauce, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate cheeses: Remove the lid and mix in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Stir until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes creamy, coating the pasta and chicken beautifully. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ranch dressing for blue cheese dressing if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spice level.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for a richer sauce or a lighter version to reduce calories.
- For a more intense buffalo flavor, add extra buffalo sauce as a topping when serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Buffalo chicken pasta, one pot pasta, creamy buffalo pasta, easy dinner recipe, spicy chicken pasta
