If you’re craving a dish that brings a bold kick with creamy comfort, the Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot! Recipe is exactly what you need. This vibrant, zesty meal combines tender chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, cheesy goodness, and perfectly cooked pasta—all in one pot for maximum flavor and minimum cleanup. It’s the kind of dish that’s quick enough for weeknight dinners but exciting enough to impress friends and family whenever you serve it. Get ready to dive into a bowl of pure deliciousness that hits all the right notes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays an essential role, creating a beautiful balance of spicy, creamy, and savory flavors with wonderful textures and inviting colors. Don’t underestimate how simple staples come together to make this dish spectacular.
- Olive oil: This is your base for cooking chicken and garlic, adding richness and helping develop amazing flavors.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cubed chicken cooks quickly and soaks up the buffalo sauce perfectly, providing tender protein.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken just right, enhancing all other flavors.
- Garlic cloves: Minced fresh garlic infuses the dish with a fragrant warmth that complements the heat.
- Chicken broth: The cooking liquid that keeps the pasta moist and builds a savory depth in the sauce.
- Buffalo sauce: The star of the show, offering that signature tangy spice that makes the dish pop.
- Heavy cream: Brings luscious creaminess to the sauce, mellowing the spice beautifully.
- Uncooked penne or rotini pasta: Perfect shapes that hold the rich sauce and chicken in every bite.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into the sauce to create gooey, cheesy magic.
- Blue cheese crumbles (optional): Adds a punch of bold flavor for those who love a classic buffalo wing vibe.
- Chopped green onions (optional): A fresh, crisp garnish that adds color and a mild onion bite at the finish.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot! Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season the cubed chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to bring out their natural flavor. Cook the chicken until it’s golden brown and cooked through, which takes about 5 to 6 minutes. Once the chicken looks perfect, stir in the minced garlic and cook it for another minute, letting that delicious aroma fill your kitchen.
Step 2: Add the Liquids and Pasta
Next, pour in the chicken broth, buffalo sauce, and heavy cream all at once. Give everything a good stir so the liquids blend seamlessly into one rich, spicy sauce. Then add the uncooked pasta directly into the pot, making sure it’s submerged in the flavorful sauce. Bring the mixture up to a boil to kickstart cooking the pasta inside the sauce.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Let it cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. During this time, the pasta will soften perfectly, soaking up all the spicy, creamy flavors while the sauce thickens to a velvety consistency.
Step 4: Add the Cheese
When the pasta is tender and the sauce is thickened, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely. This step creates an ultra-cheesy, indulgent texture that ties every bite together. For those who love a touch of classic buffalo wing flavor, sprinkle blue cheese crumbles on top before serving—it’s a game changer!
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Finish off your masterpiece by sprinkling freshly chopped green onions over the pasta. These add a delightful crunch and pop of color, making the dish look as good as it tastes. Serve it hot and get ready for rave reviews from everyone at the table!
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot! Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes like chopped green onions, a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles, or even a drizzle of extra buffalo sauce can elevate the dish. These simple touches introduce fresh textures and layers of flavor that make each serving exciting and vibrant.
Side Dishes
Since the Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot! Recipe is so rich and packed with flavor, you might want to balance it out with crisp, light side dishes. A crunchy celery and carrot sticks platter or a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can be refreshing accompaniments that complement the spicy pasta beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this pasta in individual ramekins topped with extra cheese and broiled for a couple of minutes until bubbly and golden. Or spoon it onto toasted garlic bread for a hand-held spicy cheesy treat. Hosting a casual party? Set up a buffalo pasta bar with various toppings so guests can customize their bowls.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Buffalo Chicken Pasta stores wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making your leftovers just as delicious, if not better, than the day of cooking.
Freezing
This dish freezes well too! Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Frozen Buffalo Chicken Pasta will keep for up to 2 months, perfect for a quick meal anytime you need a comforting boost.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy leftovers, reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat to prevent the cheese from separating. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if needed to loosen the sauce. Microwave reheating also works—just cover and heat in short bursts, stirring in between to keep everything creamy and hot.
FAQs
Can I use shredded chicken instead of cubed chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Using pre-cooked shredded chicken is a great shortcut and works perfectly in this recipe. Just add it after the sauce and pasta have started cooking to warm through and absorb flavor.
Is there a way to make this recipe less spicy?
Yes! Simply reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or choose a mild variety. You can also balance heat by adding a little more heavy cream or cheese to mellow the spice.
What’s a good substitute for blue cheese crumbles?
If blue cheese isn’t your favorite, feel free to skip it or swap in feta cheese for a similarly tangy twist. It’s optional but adds a classic buffalo wing flavor if you enjoy it.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Definitely. While penne and rotini work best to catch the sauce, other short pasta shapes like shells or farfalle can be great alternatives depending on what you have on hand.
How spicy is this dish for kids or those sensitive to heat?
The heat level depends on the buffalo sauce brand you choose. For a milder dish suitable for kids, opt for a mild buffalo sauce and remember the cream and cheese help soften the spice considerably.
Final Thoughts
If you love easy meals that bring excitement to your dinner table, you will adore making and sharing the Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot! Recipe. It’s a soul-warming, crowd-pleasing dish that masterfully combines bold flavors and creamy comfort with the simplicity of one-pot cooking. Give it a try and watch it become your new favorite weeknight go-to or party standout. Happy cooking!
Print
Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot! Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This delicious Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a creamy, spicy one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, pasta, and cheesy buffalo sauce for a comforting and flavorful dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta, uncooked
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Season the cubed chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to enhance flavor.
- Add the Liquids and Pasta: Pour in chicken broth, buffalo sauce, and heavy cream into the pot with the cooked chicken. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Add the uncooked pasta, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Cover the pot and let the pasta cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
- Add the Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. If desired, sprinkle blue cheese crumbles on top to add an extra layer of flavor.
- Serve: Garnish the Buffalo Chicken Pasta with chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty and spicy one-pot meal.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spice level to your liking.
- Blue cheese crumbles add a tangy contrast but can be omitted for a milder taste.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of milk or broth.
- For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy alternative.
