Description

This One Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken, hearty penne pasta, and a zesty buffalo cheese sauce. Cooked entirely in one skillet, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup. The blend of buffalo sauce, cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella creates a rich and irresistible sauce that marries perfectly with the juicy chicken and vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast

For the Sauce and Pasta

½ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch dressing)
2 tablespoons butter (divided)
½ cup yellow onion, diced
1 stick celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
14.5 oz diced tomatoes (undrained, 1 can)
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 large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast and cook until no longer pink in the center, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Sauté Vegetables: Push the cooked chicken to one side of the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the empty side, then add the diced onions, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Add Liquids and Pasta: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, penne pasta, buffalo sauce, and softened cream cheese. Mix everything until the cream cheese is well incorporated, creating a creamy sauce.
Simmer Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the flavors. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Melt the Cheeses: Once the pasta is tender, stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and creamy. Optionally, add red pepper flakes for extra heat and 2 tablespoons of cold butter to enrich the sauce. Mix well before serving.

Notes

Use rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
For a milder flavor, substitute buffalo sauce with extra ranch or blue cheese dressing.
If sauce is too thick after cooking, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it.
Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice spicy kick.
Serve immediately for best texture and flavor. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently with a splash of broth.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: buffalo chicken pasta, one pot pasta, creamy pasta, buffalo sauce recipe, chicken dinner, easy weeknight meal