Description
How to make creamy buffalo garlic alfredo chicken pasta with tender chicken and spicy buffalo sauce that delivers comfort food perfection in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Protein
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Alfredo Base
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
Buffalo Flavor
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining completely.
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot.
- Sear Chicken: Add seasoned chicken to hot skillet in single layer. Cook 5-6 minutes without moving, then flip and cook until golden and cooked through completely.
- Build Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add butter to same pan. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Create Alfredo: Slowly pour in heavy cream, whisking constantly. Add cream cheese and Parmesan, stirring until completely melted and smooth throughout the entire mixture.
- Add Buffalo: Stir in buffalo sauce, hot sauce, and onion powder. Taste and adjust heat level as needed, then add pasta water if sauce seems too thick.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta to sauce and toss until completely coated. Garnish with fresh chives and extra Parmesan cheese before serving immediately while hot.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the chicken or it will become tough and dry in the final dish.
- Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days maximum.
- Fresh Parmesan melts much better than pre-shredded for smoothest sauce texture.
- Adjust buffalo sauce amount based on your preferred spice tolerance level.
- Reserve pasta water before draining as it helps achieve perfect sauce consistency.
- Serve immediately while hot for best flavor and texture experience.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 32g