Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot!
Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot! After making this many times, I’ve mastered the perfect creamy, tangy sauce. The trick I discovered is cooking the pasta in the same pot as the chicken and sauce. This cozy, better-than-takeout dish is ready in just 20 minutes. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza and One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta.
Why This Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot! Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy and tangy buffalo sauce
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- One-pot for easy cleanup
- Better than takeout taste
What You'll Need for Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot!
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Pasta
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Cream cheese
- Chicken broth
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Ranch dressing (optional)
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: Ranch dressing
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs or leftover cooked chicken.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect pasta and chicken → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Quickly shred cheese for topping → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot!
- Step 1: Cook chicken in skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook pasta according to package instructions, using chicken broth as liquid.
- Step 3: Stir in buffalo sauce, cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet. Stir to combine. Top with optional toppings and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot!
- : For a lighter sauce, use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese.
- Common mistake and fix: If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth.
- : For a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Storing & Reheating Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot!
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can cook the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Combine with cooked pasta before serving.
Freezing Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot!
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a faster cooking time, use chicken tenders instead of breasts.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with cooked shrimp for a seafood version.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta and chicken separately, then combine when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If pasta is not cooking evenly, add a little more chicken broth or water.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant Pot — Cooks pasta and chicken simultaneously for faster prep → Check price on Amazon
Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Pasta
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Cream cheese
- Chicken broth
Seasonings
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Ranch dressing (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Green onions
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Ranch dressing
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook chicken in skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook pasta according to package instructions, using chicken broth as liquid.
- Step 3: Stir in buffalo sauce, cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet. Stir to combine. Top with optional toppings and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a faster cooking time, use chicken tenders instead of breasts.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with cooked shrimp for a seafood version.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta and chicken separately, then combine when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If pasta is not cooking evenly, add a little more chicken broth or water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can cook the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Combine with cooked pasta before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot! FAQs
Yes, you can cook the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Combine with cooked pasta before serving.
If your sauce is not thickening, try cooking it a little longer or adding a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water).
Yes, you can cook the chicken and pasta simultaneously in the Instant Pot. Follow the same instructions, but cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
Yes, use gluten-free pasta and ensure your buffalo sauce is gluten-free.
This dish is hearty and filling on its own, but you can serve it with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta – One Pot! and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
