Description
One Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken, penne pasta, and a rich buffalo cheese sauce. With melty cheddar, mozzarella, and a hint of buffalo sauce, this easy-to-make skillet meal offers a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors. Ideal for quick weeknight dinners or casual family meals, it requires minimal cleanup and comes together in 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
For the Sauce and Pasta
- ½ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch)
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 stick celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb penne pasta
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cold butter (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast and cook until no longer pink, ensuring it is cooked through with a tender texture.
- Sauté Vegetables: Push the cooked chicken to one side of the skillet and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté the diced yellow onion, celery, and minced garlic until they are soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, penne pasta, buffalo sauce, and softened cream cheese. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly in the skillet.
- Simmer the Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, 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 most of the liquid.
- Finish with Cheese: Remove the lid and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted and creamy. Optionally, add red pepper flakes and cold butter for extra richness and flavor. Mix well before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute blue cheese dressing with ranch if preferred.
- Leftover rotisserie chicken can be used for a quicker version.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice extra kick.
- Using cubed cream cheese helps it melt evenly and create a creamy sauce.
- For a thicker sauce, let the pasta simmer uncovered for a few more minutes after cooking.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Buffalo Chicken Pasta, One Pot Pasta, Creamy Buffalo Pasta, Easy Chicken Dinner, Quick Pasta Recipe
