Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta

When you are making this buffalo chicken pasta, seasonings and flavors of the sauce can be adjusted to your tastes. If you like it spicier, add more buffalo sauce or more cayenne pepper. You can also add hot sauce to the sauce to give it more of a kick.

Also, using rotisserie chicken can speed up prep time which is a great shortcut if time is an issue. And, if you already have leftover chicken, you can cut it into bite sized pieces and use that as well.

What Kind of Pasta Should I Use

I am using penne for this recipe, but you can use any kind of pasta you have on hand. I like how the creamy sauce fills the penne, but rotini or shells will also hold the sauce well.

This recipe will also work well with gluten free pasta or even pasta substitutes, like pasta zero or vegetable spiraled pastas. You can find some pasta alternatives in the produce section, or in the freezer section, at the local grocery store. You can also use a spiralizer and make your own vegetable noodles.

How to Store Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Once the pasta has cooled, if there are any leftovers, you will want to store them in an airtight container. Make sure to keep the pasta in the refrigerator until you are ready to heat it up again. You can also freeze this buffalo chicken pasta. When freezing the leftovers, make sure to use a freezer safe container or place the pasta in a freezer bag.

Is This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Spicy

This recipe for buffalo chicken pasta has cayenne pepper and buffalo wing sauce. While the pepper can give a kick, it is not significant. The spiciness will comes from the buffalo sauce and it will depend on how spicy the buffalo sauce is.

If you like your buffalo chicken extra spicy, feel free to add more pepper or you can also add hot sauce. This is a simple way to add more flavor and spice to the pasta.

How to Reheat Pasta

You want to reheat this pasta in either a pot on the stove or in the microwave. I like to reheat single servings in the microwave, for convenience. When I am reheating the entire batch of leftovers, I will reheat it on the stove top.

How Long Will This Pasta Dish Last

As long as the pasta dinner is stored in an airtight container, it should last for 5-6 days. If the leftovers are not covered well, the pasta will dry out and it will not last that long.

If you will not eat the leftovers before they go bad, you can also move the leftovers to the freezer. The pasta will last about 6 months in the freezer before it goes bad. Make sure it is sealed well or else it will get freezer burn. Make sure to write the date on the freezer bag prior to freezing.

Ingredients to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, bite-sized pieces
• Butter
• Dry ranch dressing seasoning
• Onion
• Cream cheese
• Buffalo sauce
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Cajun seasoning
• Cayenne pepper
• Pepper
• Garlic salt

(Actual measurements are in the recipe card below.)

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta

• In a large skillet or frying pan, over medium heat, melt butter, add chicken and onion.
• Cook until chicken is no longer pink and reaches 165°.
• In a medium saucepan, add pasta and cook according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
• Sprinkle dry ranch seasoning, garlic salt, pepper, cayenne pepper and Cajun seasoning over cooked chicken and onions. Stir to combine.
• Add cream cheese and stir until melted.
• Next, add buffalo sauce, chicken broth and heavy cream, stir, and bring to a boil.
• Pour in sharp cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
• Add cooked pasta to skillet, stir to combine.
• Remove from heat and serve hot.
• Optional; garnish with green onions, extra shredded cheese, sour cream.

Here are a few more delicious pasta recipes that can be found on the blog: