Description
Buffalo Chicken Ranch Pasta is a creamy, spicy, and cheesy pasta dish that combines tender chicken breast, penne pasta, and a flavorful buffalo-ranch cheese sauce. It’s an easy one-skillet meal perfect for a weeknight dinner, featuring a rich blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese infused with buffalo sauce and ranch seasoning, finished with fresh parsley and optional blue cheese crumbles for extra tang.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 340g penne pasta
Chicken and Seasonings
- 450g chicken breast, diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp butter
Sauces and Cheese
- 180ml buffalo sauce
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (approximately 28g)
- 115g cream cheese
- 120g cheddar cheese, shredded
- 120g mozzarella cheese, shredded
Garnish
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 30g crumbled blue cheese or feta (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 340g of penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced 450g chicken breast and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden and fully cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon onion powder over the cooked chicken, stirring to evenly coat.
- Make the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add 180ml buffalo sauce, 115g cream cheese, 1 packet ranch seasoning mix, 120g shredded cheddar cheese, and 120g shredded mozzarella cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and well combined.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss well to evenly coat the pasta with the buffalo-ranch cheese sauce. Let it simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes to blend the flavors and warm through.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat. Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and, if desired, 30g crumbled blue cheese or feta. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, spicy buffalo chicken ranch pasta!
Notes
- Use freshly chopped parsley to enhance the dish’s fresh aroma and color.
- Blue cheese is optional but adds a classic tangy flavor complementing the buffalo sauce.
- For a milder version, reduce the buffalo sauce quantity or use mild buffalo sauce.
- Pasta can be cooked a minute less than al dente if you prefer softer texture as it will simmer with sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of milk or water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Buffalo chicken pasta, buffalo chicken ranch pasta, creamy buffalo pasta, spicy chicken pasta, easy dinner recipes
