There are nights when I cannot decide between a cozy bowl of carbs and the spicy kick of game day food. This Buffalo Chicken Pasta is the delicious compromise. It marries the creamy comfort of mac and cheese with the fiery zest of your favorite buffalo wings. It is bold, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying.

I created this recipe for those evenings when I needed a meal that felt indulgent but came together in under 30 minutes. It fits perfectly into my rotation of lazy dinners because it uses one skillet and a pot of boiling water. No complicated techniques, just big flavors.

If you are a fan of my buffalo chicken sliders on hawaiian rolls, this dish will be right up your alley. It takes that same addictive flavor profile and turns it into a hearty dinner. It is creamy without being heavy and spicy enough to wake up your taste buds.

Why This Creamy Skillet Rocks

I have served this to spice lovers and comfort food fans alike, and it always gets rave reviews.

Sauce Perfection: We use a blend of cream cheese, ranch, and hot sauce. It tastes like a pourable version of franks red hot buffalo chicken dip.
Versatility: You can eat it hot right out of the pan, or chill it for a zesty buffalo chicken pasta salad for a summer picnic.
Speed: Unlike a slow simmered buffalo chicken chili, this meal is ready as soon as the pasta is cooked.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Author: danyrecipes
Total Time: 25 mins
Yield: 4 Servings

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Description

A creamy, spicy, and cheesy pasta dish that brings the flavor of buffalo wings to dinner time. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy skillet meal is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

8 oz uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or cavatappi)
1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Sauce
1/3 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup chicken broth (or reserved pasta water)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Green onions for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
Cook Chicken: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Make Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch dressing, and chicken broth to the skillet. Whisk constantly until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
Add Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and a drizzle of ranch. Serve hot.

Notes

Spice Level: Add cayenne pepper or extra hot sauce if you want more heat. For less heat, use more ranch and less hot sauce.

Protein Swap: Leftover rotisserie chicken works great and saves cooking time. Just add it to the sauce to warm through.

Storage: Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 480
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 95mg

The Spicy Pantry List

To make this creamy pasta dish, you need a few staples that you probably already have.

The Pasta
Short shapes work best here to catch the sauce. I love penne, rotini, or cavatappi. The ridges hold onto that cheesy goodness.

The Chicken
I sear bite sized pieces of chicken breast for the best texture. However, you can easily use rotisserie chicken or even buffalo chicken dip canned chicken if you rinse it well. It is all about what you have on hand.

The Heat Source
Frank’s RedHot Original is the gold standard. It gives you that authentic buffalo flavor. Adjust the amount based on how spicy you like it.

The Creamy Base
A block of cream cheese is essential for the velvety texture. I also add a splash of chicken broth and ranch dressing to thin it out into a glossy sauce.

The Cheese
Sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack melts beautifully into the sauce. If you want a fun twist, try the garlic parmesan vibes from my buffalo wild wings garlic parmesan pasta copycat.

Skillet Magic: Step-by-Step

Cooking this dish is fast and furious. Have your ingredients prepped before you start.

Step 1: Boil the Noodles
Cook your pasta in salted water until it is al dente. Reserve a mug of the starchy pasta water before draining. This liquid gold helps the sauce cling to the noodles.

Step 2: Sear the Protein
While the pasta boils, heat oil in a large skillet. Cook the seasoned chicken pieces until golden and cooked through. Remove them from the pan if you need room to make the sauce, or just push them to the side.

Step 3: Build the Sauce
Reduce the heat to low. Add the cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch dressing, and a splash of the pasta water to the skillet. Whisk until the cream cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth.

Step 4: Melt the Cheese
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts into the sauce. It should turn a beautiful orange color.

Step 5: Toss and Serve
Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything until it is evenly coated. If it looks too thick, add a splash more pasta water.

Step 6: Garnish
Top with sliced green onions and maybe a drizzle of extra ranch or blue cheese crumbles.

Ways to Remix It

This recipe is super flexible depending on your mood.

Slow Cooker Style
You can turn this into a buffalo chicken pasta crock pot meal. Add raw chicken, sauce ingredients, and broth to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours, shred the chicken, and then stir in cooked pasta at the end.

Wrap It Up
If you have leftovers, they make an incredible filling for buffalo chicken wraps. The cold pasta adds a great texture inside a tortilla.

Veggie Boost
Stir in spinach or steamed broccoli at the very end to add some greens and color to the dish.

Bake It
Pour the finished pasta into a baking dish, top with mozzarella, and broil for 3 minutes for a crispy, bubbly crust.

A Bowl of Fire and Comfort

There is no need to order takeout wings when you can have this satisfying pasta dish at home. This Buffalo Chicken Pasta is creamy, spicy, and total comfort food heaven.

Whether you are feeding a hungry family or just treating yourself to a spicy dinner, I hope this recipe brings a little kick to your kitchen.