Description

Creamy, spicy, and cheesy, this One Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken, classic buffalo sauce, and a blend of cheeses for a comforting, flavorful meal all cooked in a single pot. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it features a harmonious mix of textures and bold flavors inspired by buffalo wing sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
½ cup yellow onion, diced
1 stick celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids & Sauces

½ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch)
14.5 oz diced tomatoes (undrained)
4 cups chicken broth
½ cup buffalo sauce

Pasta & Dairy

1 lb penne pasta
1 stick (2 tablespoons) butter, divided
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Cook the Chicken: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast and cook until it is no longer pink in the center, ensuring it is fully cooked through.
Sauté Vegetables: Push the chicken to one side of the skillet and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté the diced onion, celery, and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
Add Liquids and Pasta: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, chicken broth, penne pasta, buffalo sauce, and softened cream cheese. Mix everything until well combined and the cream cheese begins to melt into the sauce.
Simmer the Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender and cooked through, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Finish with Cheeses: Remove the lid and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Continue stirring until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.

Notes

Use blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing depending on your preference for either a sharper or milder flavor.
Feel free to adjust the amount of buffalo sauce based on desired spice level.
For a richer flavor, you can substitute part of the chicken broth with milk or half-and-half.
If the pasta absorbs too much liquid and thickens, add a splash of chicken broth while simmering.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

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

Keywords: buffalo chicken pasta, one pot pasta recipes, creamy buffalo chicken, easy weeknight dinner, chicken pasta skillet