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When making creamy buffalo chicken pasta, gather these key ingredients: - Pasta Types: 2 cups rotini or penne pasta - Chicken: 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast - Aromatics: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 small onion (finely chopped), 3 cloves garlic (minced) - Buffalo Sauce and Dairy: 1 cup buffalo sauce, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Seasonings: Salt and black pepper to taste - Optional Toppings: Chopped green onions, crumbled blue cheese These ingredients create a rich, flavorful dish. The pasta gives a perfect base, while the chicken adds protein. Aromatics like onion and garlic bring depth to the sauce. Buffalo sauce adds heat and tang. Heavy cream and sour cream create a smooth texture, making every bite creamy. Finally, Parmesan cheese gives a salty kick. Optional toppings like green onions and blue cheese add a fresh finish. Collect these items, and you're ready to dive into a delicious cooking adventure! {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. 2. Once the water boils, add 2 cups of rotini or penne pasta. 3. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente. 4. Next, drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside. 1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. 2. Add 1 small chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes. 3. Stir until the onion is soft and clear. 4. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for another minute. 1. Mix in 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken with the aromatics. 2. Pour in 1 cup of buffalo sauce and stir well. 3. Allow the mixture to simmer for 3-5 minutes to heat through. 1. Lower the heat and slowly pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. 2. Add 1/2 cup of sour cream and stir until smooth. 3. Incorporate 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and mix well. 4. Taste and adjust with salt and black pepper as needed. 1. Carefully fold the cooked pasta into the creamy buffalo chicken sauce. 2. Use a spatula to gently toss until all pasta is coated evenly. 1. Remove the skillet from heat and serve hot. 2. Garnish each plate with chopped green onions. 3. Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese on top if you like. - Adjusting Spice Levels to Taste Start with one cup of buffalo sauce. This gives a nice kick. If you like it hotter, add more sauce, a little at a time. Taste as you go. You want to enjoy the heat without overwhelming your palate. - How to Achieve the Right Creaminess For a creamy sauce, use both heavy cream and sour cream. The heavy cream gives richness. The sour cream adds tanginess. Stir these in slowly over low heat. This helps create a smooth texture. - Cooking Pasta Al Dente Always cook your pasta al dente. This means it should be firm to the bite. Follow the package instructions, usually 8 to 10 minutes. Taste the pasta before draining. It should not be mushy. - Preventing Pasta from Sticking To keep your pasta from sticking, stir it well while cooking. Use enough water, so the pasta has room to move. After draining, toss it with a bit of olive oil. This will keep it loose. - Using Pre-Cooked Chicken If you're short on time, use pre-cooked chicken. This cuts down on cooking time. You can find it in stores or make it in advance. Shred it before adding to your sauce. - Preparing Ingredients in Advance Chop your onion and garlic ahead of time. You can also measure out your sauces and creams. This way, when it's time to cook, you can focus on mixing everything. It makes the process smooth and quick. Pro Tips Adjust the Heat: Feel free to add more or less buffalo sauce based on your spice tolerance. Start with a smaller amount and gradually increase to find your perfect balance. Add Veggies: Incorporate your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or spinach during the sautéing process for added nutrition and color. Make it Ahead: This dish can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream to revive the sauce. Garnish Creatively: Experiment with different toppings like cilantro, diced tomatoes, or jalapeños to customize each serving and enhance flavor. {{image_4}} You can make this dish healthier with simple changes. - Using Whole Wheat or Gluten-Free Pasta: Whole wheat pasta adds fiber. It gives a nutty taste. Gluten-free pasta is a great choice too. It helps those with gluten issues. Both options work well in this recipe. - Low-Fat Dairy Alternatives: Swap heavy cream with low-fat milk or cashew cream. Sour cream can change to Greek yogurt. These swaps cut calories without losing flavor. Add your twist to this dish for even more fun. - Adding Vegetables: Bell peppers and spinach are great choices. They boost nutrition and color. You can sauté them with onions. This mix adds a fresh touch to the pasta. - Alternative Sauces: Mix BBQ sauce with buffalo sauce for a sweet kick. This combo gives a new flavor layer. You can adjust the spice according to your taste. Want to serve more or fewer people? It's easy! - Increasing Servings: To double the recipe, simply double all the ingredients. This ensures everyone gets enough creamy goodness. - Reducing Servings: If you want less, just halve the ingredients. This makes it perfect for a quick lunch or a small dinner. To keep your creamy buffalo chicken pasta fresh, store it in the fridge. Place the pasta in an airtight container. This helps prevent drying out. Make sure to cool the pasta first. It should be at room temperature before sealing. Store it for up to three days. You can reheat your pasta in two easy ways. Use a microwave or stovetop. If using a microwave, place the pasta in a bowl. Add a splash of water or cream to keep it moist. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. For the stovetop, use a skillet. Add a little cream to the pan. Heat gently, stirring until warm. This keeps the sauce creamy and delicious. You can freeze your creamy buffalo chicken pasta. Freeze it before or after cooking. If freezing before cooking, place the uncooked pasta and sauce in a freezer bag. If freezing after, let it cool first. Store in a freezer-safe container. It stays good for up to three months. To defrost, move it to the fridge overnight. Reheat it as mentioned above. Enjoy your tasty pasta later! Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken. It saves time and adds great flavor. Simply shred the chicken and add it to the dish as you would with cooked chicken breast. This makes the recipe even easier, especially for busy weeknights. To boost the heat, add more buffalo sauce to the dish. You can also mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. For extra kick, try diced jalapeños or hot sauce. Adjust the spice level to suit your taste for the perfect spicy creamy buffalo chicken pasta. You can use milk, but the dish will not be as creamy. If you want a rich taste, consider using half-and-half or a mix of milk and cream. This keeps the sauce smooth while still reducing calories a bit. This dish pairs well with a crisp salad or garlic bread. Roasted veggies like broccoli or carrots also make a great side. You can even serve it with a light soup for a complete meal. Creamy buffalo chicken pasta lasts about three to four days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Reheat it gently to enjoy leftovers without losing flavor. This blog post guides you through making creamy buffalo chicken pasta. You learned about the key ingredients, like rotini pasta and shredded chicken. The step-by-step instructions show you how to cook pasta, sauté aromatics, and mix in the sauce. Tips help you perfect your dish, while variations allow for creativity. You can store leftovers safely and reheat them easily. Making this dish will impress your family and friends. Enjoy every bite, and don’t hesitate to try new flavors!

Spicy Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta

A deliciously spicy and creamy pasta dish featuring shredded chicken and buffalo sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups rotini or penne pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup buffalo sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 2 sour cream
  • 1 2 grated Parmesan cheese
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
  • for garnish Chopped green onions
  • for topping Crumbled blue cheese (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the rotini or penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the finely chopped onion. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent and soft. Next, add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute, just until fragrant.
  • Incorporate the shredded cooked chicken into the skillet, followed by the buffalo sauce. Stir everything together until the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 3-5 minutes, just until the chicken is heated through.
  • Lower the heat to low and gently pour in the heavy cream and sour cream. Stir constantly for a few minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Then, add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it's fully melted and blended into the sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
  • Carefully fold the cooked pasta into the skillet with the creamy buffalo chicken sauce. Use a spatula to gently toss everything together, ensuring each piece of pasta is well-coated in the rich sauce.
  • Remove the skillet from heat. Serve the spicy creamy buffalo chicken pasta hot, garnishing each plate with chopped green onions. If desired, sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the top for an extra layer of flavor.

Notes

Adjust the buffalo sauce to your preferred spice level.
Keyword buffalo sauce, chicken, creamy, pasta, spicy