Description
How to make one pot BBQ buffalo chicken pasta with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and bold flavors that satisfies every comfort food craving in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Flavor Builders
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
Seasonings
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finishing Touches
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 green onions, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion to pot and cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant but not burned.
- Add Liquids: Pour in chicken broth, BBQ sauce, and half the buffalo sauce. Bring to boil, then add pasta and stir to combine everything evenly.
- Cook Pasta: Reduce heat to medium and simmer 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed into creamy goodness.
- Create Sauce: Stir in heavy cream, milk, and seasonings. Cook 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats pasta beautifully without being too thin.
- Finish Strong: Remove from heat and stir in remaining buffalo sauce and cheddar cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning, then garnish with green onions.
Notes
- Don’t add all buffalo sauce at once or cream will curdle – add half during cooking, half at end.
- Store in refrigerator up to 4 days in airtight container, adding milk when reheating.
- Rotisserie chicken works perfectly – add 3 cups shredded in last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Adjust heat level by using mild buffalo sauce and increasing BBQ sauce for sweetness.
- Pasta will absorb liquid as it sits, so reserve some broth for thinning if needed.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts much smoother than pre-shredded for best creamy texture.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 28g