With minimal effort, cleanup, and just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a creamy and spicy Buffalo Chicken Pasta dinner that is perfect for busy nights. The crave-worthy creamy buffalo sauce comes together effortlessly by using cream cheese as a base, ranch dressing mix, and store-bought buffalo sauce.
Ingredients For Easy and Quick Buffalo Chicken Pasta
To make this gourmet-style creamy buffalo chicken pasta you need the following ingredients:
- Leftover rotisserie chicken
- Olive oil
- Penne pasta
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Ranch dressing mix
- Chicken broth
- Buffalo sauce
- Roma tomatoes
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Green onions
- Salt and pepper
How to Make Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- In a measuring cup or small bowl mix the sour cream, mayonnaise, and ranch dressing mix until combined.
- Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Sautee the chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Mix in the softened cream cheese until melted.
- Pour in the sour cream mixture, chicken broth, and buffalo sauce and mix until combined.
- Add the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
Mix in the cooked and drained pasta, diced tomatoes, and shredded chicken until fully combined. Cook for 2 minutes or until chicken and pasta are heated through. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed. Serve with sliced green onions on top.
What Pasta Types Work Best For This Recipe?
Any short pasta like penne, fusilli, or even farfalle. You can use the short pasta of your choice. All of these will be well coated with the creamy sauce.
Can I Substitute The Dressing?
Yes! You can use blue cheese dressing if you like it more than ranch. Blue cheese adds another layer of flavor. You can also use already-made dressing instead of making your own with the packet and the sour cream mixture.
Fast and Foolproof Buffalo Chicken Pasta With Minimal Cleanup
Equipment
- Large, deep skillet
- Stove
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta, cooked and drained
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1-1 oz packet ranch dressing mix
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (or to taste)
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a measuring cup or small bowl, mix the sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, and 3 tbsp water until combined.
- Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Sautee the chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Mix in the softened cream cheese until melted.
- Pour in the sour cream mixture, chicken broth, and buffalo sauce, and mix until combined.
- Add the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
- Mix in the cooked and drained pasta, diced tomatoes, and shredded chicken until fully combined. Cook for 2 minutes or until chicken and pasta are heated through. Check the seasoning, and add salt and pepper if needed. Serve with sliced green onions on top.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Dish Vegetarian?
Sure! Instead of using chicken, try it with diced paneer or chickpeas for a no-meat alternative.
Is There a Quick Way To Soften Cream Cheese?
To soften cream cheese quickly, cut it up into small pieces and let it stand for about 20 minutes, or microwave it for 10-15 seconds.
Can I Make This Dish Spicier or Milder?
You control the amount of spice by adding more or less buffalo sauce to the creamy pasta sauce. Also, you can use mild, medium, or hot buffalo sauce and play with the amount.
What Can I Use Instead of Buffalo Sauce?
Make your own by mixing the hot sauce with a tablespoon of butter! Sriracha or hot sauce also works well in this recipe.
Can This Pasta Dish Be Frozen?
Pasta dishes with creamy sauces don’t usually thaw perfectly due to the high amount of fat in the sauce. I would recommend storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Use gluten-free pasta and make sure the buffalo sauce and the ranch dressing mix are also gluten-free.
What Sides Pair Well With This Dish?
Pasta and salad are always a great combination. Steamed veggies are also good, and remember to serve your pasta with a thick, crust slice of garlic bread. Also, to enhance the flavor you can top the pasta with sliced green onions, crumbled blue cheese, or more cheddar.
