Description
How to make bold pepper jack buffalo chicken penne with tender pasta, spicy buffalo sauce, and melted cheese that satisfies every comfort food craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
Buffalo Sauce Mixture
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Creamy Base
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings & Garnish
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook penne until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining completely.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes total.
- Build Base: Add diced onion to chicken and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and garlic powder until fragrant.
- Create Sauce: Add buffalo sauce and butter, stirring until butter melts completely. Pour in heavy cream and bring to gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
- Add Cheeses: Reduce heat to low and whisk in softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add pepper jack and Parmesan, stirring until melted.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta to sauce and toss until well coated. Add pasta water if needed for perfect consistency, then season with paprika and pepper.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chives and green onions. Serve immediately while hot and creamy for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Don’t skip reserving pasta water – you’ll need it to adjust sauce consistency.
- Cream cheese must be softened completely or the sauce will be lumpy.
- Keep heat low when adding cheese to prevent it from seizing up.
- Leftover pasta thickens in the fridge, so add cream when reheating.
- Double the recipe easily for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
- Fresh herbs make a big difference in the final flavor presentation.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Protein: 28g