Description
A quick and easy one-pot dinner featuring tender chicken, penne pasta, and a creamy, spicy Buffalo sauce that balances heat and richness perfectly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (about 1 pound / 450g)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- ½ cup Buffalo hot sauce (120ml), such as Frank’s RedHot
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (240ml)
- 1 cup whole milk (240ml), or half-and-half for extra creaminess
- 4 ounces cream cheese (115g), softened to room temperature
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (100g), freshly grated
- 12 ounces penne pasta (340g)
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
- ½ cup blue cheese crumbles (optional, 50g)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in Buffalo hot sauce, chicken broth, and milk. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add cream cheese in chunks and whisk into the simmering sauce until smooth and creamy. Add more milk or broth if sauce is too thick.
- Add dry penne pasta directly to the sauce. Stir to coat and cover the skillet. Cook, stirring every few minutes, until pasta is al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
- Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and cooked chicken. Mix until cheese melts and everything is combined. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Turn off heat and garnish with sliced green onions and optional blue cheese crumbles. Serve immediately.
Notes
If sauce thickens too much when cooled, add a splash of milk when reheating to loosen. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Adjust hot sauce amount to control spice level. For vegetarian version, substitute chicken with mushrooms or beans. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese, cheddar alternatives, and coconut milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Buffalo chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy pasta, one-pot dinner, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food