Save A spicy, creamy one-pan pasta dish featuring tender chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and melted cheese—perfect for a quick, flavorful dinner.
I first created this recipe on a busy weeknight when I wanted something comforting but didn't want to wash a pile of dishes. The combination of creamy cheese, spicy buffalo sauce, and tender chicken instantly became a family favorite.
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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
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: 1 cup (115 g)
- Crumbled blue cheese (optional): 1/2 cup (60 g)
- Milk: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Black pepper: 1/4 tsp
- Smoked paprika: 1/2 tsp
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Instructions
- Sauté the 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
- Cook pasta and liquids:
- Add uncooked pasta, chicken broth, buffalo sauce, and milk. Stir well and bring to a boil
- Simmer pasta:
- Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed
- Add cheeses and chicken:
- Stir in cooked chicken, cream cheese, mozzarella, blue cheese (if using), salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix until cheese melts and sauce is creamy—about 3 minutes
- Finish and serve:
- 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 My family loves gathering around the table when this skillet comes out—everyone serves themselves and fights over the cheesiest bites.
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Serving Suggestions
Pair this bold pasta with a crisp green salad or cool celery sticks to balance the heat and add a refreshing crunch.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk if needed to revive the creamy sauce.
Variations
Try swapping in rotisserie chicken for convenience or using ranch dressing instead of blue cheese for a milder, tangy twist.
Save 
Whip up this buffalo chicken pasta skillet the next time you want comfort food with a flavorful twist. It’s bound to become a regular in your dinner rotation!
Recipe Guide
- → Can I use different pasta types?
Penne or rotini work best to hold the sauce, but other short pasta shapes can be substituted depending on preference.
- → How spicy is the buffalo sauce?
Buffalo wing sauce provides a tangy heat; adjust by adding more or less to suit your desired spice level.
- → Is it possible to make this dairy-free?
Omitting cheeses alters the creamy texture, but dairy-free cheese alternatives and suitable milk substitutes can be used.
- → How can I make the dish milder?
Skip the blue cheese and reduce buffalo sauce, or replace with ranch dressing for a mellow flavor.
- → Can cooked chicken be substituted?
Yes, rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken works well for convenience without sacrificing flavor.
