Description
How to make creamy one pot sweet and spicy buffalo chicken pasta with tender chicken and bold flavors that’s ready in just 30 minutes for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Buffalo Flavor Builders
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Seasonings
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Finishing Touches
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering and fragrant.
- Cook Chicken: Add seasoned chicken to hot oil and cook 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Add Liquids: Pour chicken broth into the same pot, scraping up any browned bits. Add pasta and bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
- Cook Pasta: Simmer pasta 12-15 minutes until tender and most liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Pasta should be perfectly al dente.
- Make Sauce: Stir in heavy cream, buffalo sauce, honey, butter, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Combine Everything: Return cooked chicken to pot and add cheddar cheese. Stir gently until cheese melts and everything is well combined and heated through.
- Serve Hot: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions and extra cayenne if desired. Serve immediately while hot and creamy for best results.
Notes
- Don’t add buffalo sauce until after pasta is cooked or it will separate.
- Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 4 days in refrigerator.
- Adjust spice level by varying buffalo sauce and cayenne amounts to taste.
- Add splash of broth when reheating to restore creamy consistency.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts much better than pre-shredded varieties.
- Let dish rest 5 minutes before serving for best texture and flavor.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 28g