Description
This One Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken, creamy cheeses, and spicy buffalo sauce to create a comforting and flavorful meal. With minimal cleanup and easy steps, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner for lovers of bold, cheesy dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- ½ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 stick celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (undrained)
Pantry
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb penne pasta
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast and cook until no longer pink, ensuring it’s fully cooked through for safety and flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: Push the cooked chicken to one side of the skillet and add another tablespoon of butter. Sauté the diced yellow onion, celery, and minced garlic until soft and fragrant, building the flavor base for the dish.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, penne pasta, buffalo sauce, and softened cream cheese. Mix everything well until the cream cheese is integrated, creating a creamy sauce.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the flavors.
- Finish with Cheeses: Stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted and creamy, enriching the dish with gooey cheesiness and a luscious texture.
Notes
- You can substitute blue cheese dressing for ranch dressing if preferred for a milder flavor.
- Use cooked rotisserie chicken as a shortcut to save cooking time.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spiciness level according to your taste.
- If the sauce is too thick after simmering, add a little more chicken broth to loosen it.
- Serve with celery sticks or a side salad for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: buffalo chicken pasta, one pot pasta, creamy chicken pasta, spicy buffalo sauce recipe, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food
