Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Name: Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound penne pasta; 8 ounces cream cheese, (softened); ¼ cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing, based on preference); ½ cup buffalo sauce, (adjust the hot sauce according to spice level preference); 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breasts; 2 cloves garlic, (minced); 1 cup chicken broth; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, (divided in half); 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, (divided in half); Salt and black pepper, (to taste); 2 to 3 green onions, (thinly sliced); ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles, (optional)

Buffalo chicken pasta is a creamy and spicy dish, combining rotisserie chicken, velvety cream cheese, zesty buffalo sauce, and a cheesy finish.

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Table of Contents

Let’s Dish: About This Pasta
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How To Make This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Our buffalo chicken pasta takes a beloved comfort food and elevates it with a gourmet twist. The bold tang of buffalo sauce is perfectly tempered by creamy ranch dressing and melted cheddar, creating a delicious balance of heat and smoothness. Each forkful is packed with tender chicken and perfectly cooked penne, wrapped in a rich, delicious sauce. For a pasta dish that packs flavor without losing its creamy texture, this recipe is a standout choice.

Let’s Dish: About This Pasta

Main Ingredients: Penne pasta, cream cheese, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, rotisserie chicken, garlic, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, chicken broth, green onions.
Quick Steps: Cook pasta, mix cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and chicken; combine with pasta, top with cheese, and bake.
Total Time & Yield: 35 minutes; serves 6.

Why This Recipe

This buffalo chicken pasta recipe stands out for its rich, creamy texture and bold flavor balance.

Unlike some versions that rely on blue cheese dressing for the creaminess, our recipe uses a mix of ranch dressing and cream cheese, which creates a smoother, less overpowering sauce.

We also incorporate shredded chicken, ensuring tender bites that soak up the sauce’s tangy, spicy flavor perfectly.

In addition, while other recipes may opt for a simple buffalo sauce and cheese combo, we enhance the dish by adding mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, creating a gooey, 2melty finish that pairs beautifully with the zesty buffalo sauce.

This combination results in a more indulgent, creamy sauce that clings to every forkful of pasta, elevating the overall experience beyond the typical one-pot meal.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Ingredients

Buffalo Chicken Pasta raw ingredients that are labeled

The softened cream cheese and ranch dressing create a velvety base to coat the pasta, while the buffalo sauce adds a punch of heat.

The shredded rotisserie chicken brings a savory depth, and minced garlic provides a subtle aromatic note.

The combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses delivers a gooey, cheesy richness, with the blue cheese crumbles adding a final layer of tangy, savory goodness.

You’ll need:

2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 pound of penne pasta
8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
¼ cup of ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing, based on preference)
½ cup of buffalo sauce (adjust the hot sauce according to spice level preference)
2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken breasts
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup of chicken broth
2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided in half
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, divided in half
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2-3 green onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup of blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Substitutions and Additions

PENNE PASTA: Experiment with other pasta shapes or opt for gluten-free pasta if needed.

BUFFALO SAUCE: Adjust the spice level of the buffalo sauce to suit your taste, from mild to fiery.

CHEESE: Play around with different cheese combinations, like Monterey Jack or pepper jack, for an extra kick.

Be sure NOT to use pre-shredded cheeses. They have additives added in the bags to prevent clumping, and they do not melt as well as a block of cheese that you shred yourself.

BLUE CHEESE CRUMBLES: If blue cheese isn’t your favorite, try feta or grated Parmesan for a unique flavor.

How To Make This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe

You can prepare this casserole the night before and keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.

STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Take a 9X13 casserole dish and coat it with cooking spray, or brush it with olive oil to keep it from sticking.

STEP TWO: Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions. Once it’s al dente, drain and set the cooked pasta aside.

STEP THREE: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce until it turns into a creamy mixture.

cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce combined in a bowl

STEP FOUR: Add the shredded chicken, minced garlic, chicken broth, one cup of mozzarella cheese, one cup of cheddar cheese, and the cooked penne pasta to the cheesy sauce.

STEP FIVE: Stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.

cheesy pasta mixture placed into a casserole dish

STEP SIX: Spoon the cheesy pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.

STEP SEVEN: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the pasta in the casserole dish, and then place the casserole dish in the preheated oven.

Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese on top has melted.

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your casserole as the suggested baking time approaches.

a plate of pasta garnished with green onions and blue cheese

STEP EIGHT: Once the casserole is done baking, remove it from the oven. To serve, garnish the buffalo chicken pasta bake with thinly sliced green onions and, if you prefer, add crumbled blue cheese for an extra burst of flavor.

STEP NINE: You can also drizzle some extra buffalo sauce or ranch dressing on top for added tanginess.

How To Serve

Ready to elevate your dining experience with buffalo chicken pasta? Here are some serving suggestions:

Pair it with a fresh garden or Caesar side salad and garlic bread for a balanced and delicious meal.

Serve as an appetizer or game-day snack in smaller portions, along with our buffalo chicken sliders for even more spice.

Make it the star of your potluck dinner, along with our pull apart garlic bread; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

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For more zesty buffalo chicken goodness, try our buffalo chicken mac and cheese and buffalo chicken fries.

Storage

If you are looking to meal prep and make this dish ahead of time or store leftovers for later, here are a few guidelines.

MAKE AHEAD: Prepare this buffalo pasta dish up to the point of baking, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to enjoy for a convenient meal.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to three months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake in the oven.

REHEATING: Reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through or in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between for even heating.

Why We Love This Recipe

These are just a couple of reasons why we love this pasta dish:

FLAVOR EXPLOSION: The combination of creamy, spicy, and cheesy flavors creates an unforgettable taste experience.

QUICK AND EASY: Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is ready in just 35 minutes.

close up shot of a baking dish of Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Our easy buffalo chicken pasta recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that’s quick to make and perfect for various occasions. Whether you’re looking for a comforting weeknight dinner or an appetizer to impress at your next gathering, this dish has you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of pasta is best for buffalo chicken pasta casserole?

Any type of pasta can be used for buffalo chicken pasta, but we prefer penne, rotini or fusilli. The ridges on these kinds of pasta help to hold the sauce and chicken.

Is this dish spicy?

The level of spiciness depends on the buffalo sauce you use. Adjust it to your taste preferences.

What’s the difference between ranch and blue cheese dressing?

Ranch dressing is creamier and less tangy, while blue cheese dressing has a distinct tangy and cheesy flavor.

Is there a milder version of buffalo sauce I can use?

Choose a mild buffalo sauce if you prefer less heat.

What is the best buffalo sauce for buffalo chicken pasta?

Some popular brands include Frank’s Red Hot, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Texas Pete. These can be found at your local grocery store.

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Buffalo Chicken Pasta

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Buffalo chicken pasta is a creamy and spicy dish, combining rotisserie chicken, velvety cream cheese, zesty buffalo sauce, and a cheesy finish.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound penne pasta
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing, based on preference
½ cup buffalo sauce, adjust the hot sauce according to spice level preference
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breasts
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided in half
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided in half
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 to 3 green onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup blue cheese crumbles, optional

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Take a 9X13 casserole dish and coat it with cooking spray or brush it with olive oil to keep it from sticking.
Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions. Once it’s al dente, drain and set the cooked pasta aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce until it turns into a creamy mixture.
Add the shredded rotisserie chicken, minced garlic, chicken broth, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and the cooked penne pasta to the cheesy sauce.
Stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon the cheesy pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish, and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the pasta in the casserole dish, and then place the casserole dish in the preheated oven. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese on top has melted.
Once the casserole is done baking, remove it from the oven. To serve, garnish the buffalo chicken pasta bake with thinly sliced green onions and, if you prefer, add crumbled blue cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
You can also drizzle some extra buffalo sauce or ranch dressing on top for added tanginess.

Notes

Be sure NOT to use pre-shredded cheeses. They have additives added in the bags to prevent clumping, and they do not melt as well as a block of cheese that you shred yourself.
You can prepare this casserole the night before and keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your casserole as the suggested baking time approaches.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Kanyi Muraguri Photographer
Lenore Ortyl Editorial Director
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant

Buffalo Chicken Pasta