Description
How to make bold buffalo garlic butter chicken pasta with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and spicy buffalo flavors that satisfy every comfort food craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Buffalo Garlic Butter Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining, then set pasta aside.
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Make sure every piece is evenly coated for the best flavor and color.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in buffalo sauce, chicken broth, and cayenne pepper.
- Add Cream: Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce begins to thicken and coats the back of a spoon.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken to skillet, add cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together, adding pasta water as needed to achieve perfect creamy consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Don’t let the cream sauce boil after adding cream or it will curdle and break.
- Reserve pasta water before draining; it’s essential for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
- Cook chicken to 165°F internal temperature for food safety and optimal texture.
- Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adjust buffalo sauce amount based on your heat tolerance preferences.
- Fresh Parmesan cheese melts much better than pre-shredded varieties.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 35g