🎉 Introduction
If you love bold, creamy, cheesy comfort food with a spicy kick, this Buffalo Chicken Pasta is about to become your new favorite indulgent dinner. It combines tender chicken, aromatic garlic and onions, perfectly cooked penne pasta, rich cream cheese, heavy cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, and plenty of buffalo sauce for a spicy, ultra-creamy, flavor-packed dish.
This recipe takes everything people adore about buffalo chicken — the tang, the heat, the addictiveness — and turns it into a mouthwatering pasta that feels cozy, satisfying, and restaurant-level delicious. As the creamy buffalo sauce coats each piece of penne, the flavors blend harmoniously into a silky, spicy, cheesy dream.
Whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner, a warm and comforting meal for family, or a dish that will impress guests, this recipe delivers big flavor with simple ingredients. The combination of cream cheese and heavy cream gives the sauce that velvety texture, while mozzarella and Parmesan add depth, richness, and the perfect melt.
This dish is everything comfort food should be — bold, creamy, exciting, warm, and easy to make. One bite and you’ll want to make it again and again.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large pot
- Deep skillet or sauté pan
- Cutting board & knife
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring spoons
- Strainer
- Cheese grater
- Heatproof spatula
🛒 Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Fresh Ingredients
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Buffalo Cream Sauce
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Boil a large pot of salted water.
Add penne pasta and cook until al dente, usually 10–12 minutes.
Drain pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water for later.
Set aside.
Step 2: Season & Cook the Chicken
Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes, until:
- Golden
- Slightly crispy on edges
- Fully cooked
Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics
In the same skillet, add:
- Butter
- Minced garlic
- Chopped onion
Cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and soft.
Step 4: Build the Creamy Buffalo Sauce
Add cream cheese and let it soften.
Pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
Add:
- Buffalo sauce
- Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
Whisk until melted and silky.
Adjust thickness with reserved pasta water if needed.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Add cooked chicken back into the sauce.
Mix in the cooked penne pasta.
Stir well until pasta is fully coated.
Add parsley and green onions.
Simmer 2 minutes to let flavors develop.
Step 6: Serve
Serve warm with:
- Extra Parmesan
- Fresh parsley
- Green onions
- Drizzle of buffalo sauce (optional)
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4–6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
The perfect quick comfort meal!
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container up to 3–4 days.
Freezer
Freeze up to 2 months, but note cream sauce may change texture.
Reheating
- Stovetop: Add splash of milk or cream
- Microwave: 45–60 seconds, stir halfway
- Oven: 350°F for 10 minutes
Add extra buffalo sauce when reheating to re-brighten flavor.
🥄 Variations
1. Extra Spicy Version
Add red pepper flakes or extra buffalo sauce.
2. Ranch Buffalo Pasta
Add 1 tbsp ranch seasoning to the sauce.
3. Cheesy Baked Buffalo Pasta
Top with mozzarella and broil for 2 minutes.
4. Veggie Boost
Add:
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Corn
5. Lightened-Up Version
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
6. Chicken Thigh Version
Use boneless skinless thighs for extra juiciness.
7. Crispy Chicken Version
Air fry or oven-bake the chicken first, then mix into the sauce.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Is buffalo pasta very spicy?
Medium heat — adjust sauce to your preference.
2. Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes — rotisserie or leftover chicken works.
3. What pasta shapes work best?
Penne, rigatoni, rotini, or shells.
4. Can I use milk instead of cream?
You can, but sauce will be thinner.
5. Does mozzarella melt well?
Yes — it makes the sauce extra gooey and creamy.
6. Is cream cheese necessary?
It makes the sauce velvety and rich — highly recommended.
7. Can I make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free cream and cheese, but texture will differ.
8. Can I meal prep this?
Yes — reheats beautifully with milk added.
9. Can I use chicken breasts or thighs?
Both work perfectly.
10. Can I add breadcrumbs on top?
Yes — for a crunchy baked topping.
🏁 Conclusion
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta is the perfect combination of creamy, spicy, cheesy, and comforting. Every bite delivers satisfying heat from buffalo sauce, rich creaminess from the cheese blend, and juicy tenderness from the chicken. It’s a warm hug in a bowl — simple to prepare yet bold enough to feel like a restaurant-quality meal.
Whether you’re making it for a quick weeknight dinner, a cozy weekend meal, or a family gathering, this recipe always brings excitement to the table. Its creamy texture, spicy kick, and cheesy goodness create a flavor profile that’s truly unforgettable.
Creamy. Spicy. Cheesy.
The perfect comfort pasta every time.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta – Creamy, Cheesy, Spicy & Totally Addictive Comfort Food
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Boil a large pot of salted water.
- Add penne pasta and cook until al dente, usually 10–12 minutes.
- Drain pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water for later.
- Set aside.
- Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes, until:
- Golden
- Slightly crispy on edges
- Fully cooked
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add:
- Butter
- Minced garlic
- Chopped onion
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and soft.
- Add cream cheese and let it soften.
- Pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
- Add:
- Buffalo sauce
- Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Whisk until melted and silky.
- Adjust thickness with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Add cooked chicken back into the sauce.
- Mix in the cooked penne pasta.
- Stir well until pasta is fully coated.
- Add parsley and green onions.
- Simmer 2 minutes to let flavors develop.
- Serve warm with:
- Extra Parmesan
- Fresh parsley
- Green onions
- Drizzle of buffalo sauce (optional)
Notes
Refrigerator Store in an airtight container up to 3–4 days. Freezer Freeze up to 2 months, but note cream sauce may change texture. Reheating Stovetop: Add splash of milk or cream Microwave: 45–60 seconds, stir halfway Oven: 350°F for 10 minutes Add extra buffalo sauce when reheating to re-brighten flavor. 🥄 Variations
1. Extra Spicy Version Add red pepper flakes or extra buffalo sauce. 2. Ranch Buffalo Pasta Add 1 tbsp ranch seasoning to the sauce. 3. Cheesy Baked Buffalo Pasta Top with mozzarella and broil for 2 minutes. 4. Veggie Boost Add: Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Corn 5. Lightened-Up Version Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. 6. Chicken Thigh Version Use boneless skinless thighs for extra juiciness. 7. Crispy Chicken Version Air fry or oven-bake the chicken first, then mix into the sauce. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Is buffalo pasta very spicy? Medium heat — adjust sauce to your preference. 2. Can I use pre-cooked chicken? Yes — rotisserie or leftover chicken works. 3. What pasta shapes work best? Penne, rigatoni, rotini, or shells. 4. Can I use milk instead of cream? You can, but sauce will be thinner. 5. Does mozzarella melt well? Yes — it makes the sauce extra gooey and creamy. 6. Is cream cheese necessary? It makes the sauce velvety and rich — highly recommended. 7. Can I make it dairy-free? Use dairy-free cream and cheese, but texture will differ. 8. Can I meal prep this? Yes — reheats beautifully with milk added. 9. Can I use chicken breasts or thighs? Both work perfectly. 10. Can I add breadcrumbs on top? Yes — for a crunchy baked topping. 🏁 Conclusion This Buffalo Chicken Pasta is the perfect combination of creamy, spicy, cheesy, and comforting. Every bite delivers satisfying heat from buffalo sauce, rich creaminess from the cheese blend, and juicy tenderness from the chicken. It’s a warm hug in a bowl — simple to prepare yet bold enough to feel like a restaurant-quality meal. Whether you’re making it for a quick weeknight dinner, a cozy weekend meal, or a family gathering, this recipe always brings excitement to the table. Its creamy texture, spicy kick, and cheesy goodness create a flavor profile that’s truly unforgettable. Creamy. Spicy. Cheesy.
The perfect comfort pasta every time.
