Description
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta is tender pieces of seasoned chicken on top of pasta in a rich sauce of heavy cream, buffalo sauce, and cheeses. It’s a creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy dish that will be a hit with anyone who loves the flavors of buffalo chicken!
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces gemelli pasta
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1 ½ pounds, pounded to an even thickness
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about ½ cup)
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ½ cup mozzarella, shredded
- 1 packet (1 ounce / 2 tablespoons) dry ranch seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente about (8-10 minutes). Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Chicken: In a small bowl, combine onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Season each side of the chicken evenly with the spice mixture.
- Chicken: To a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, add the oil. Once hot, add the chicken. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes on the opposite side, or until the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from the skillet and set on a plate. Tent to keep warm.
- Sauce: To the same skillet over medium heat, add butter. Once melted, add the onions. Cook for 5-8 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Sauce: Add the heavy cream, buffalo sauce, parmesan cheese, mozzarella, ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Continue cooking until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine: Add reserved pasta. Toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Slice the chicken into strips and place on top of the pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley and parmesan. Serve.
Notes
You can substitute gemelli with any pasta you have on hand. Chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken can be used instead of breasts. For a lower-fat option, half-and-half can be used instead of heavy whipping cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 842 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1250 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 26 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 54 g
- Cholesterol: 175 mg
Keywords: Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta