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.
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
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.
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.