Can’t get enough of buffalo chicken dip? Then you will love these easy and creamy buffalo chicken pasta recipe that’s perfect for game day parties or an easy family dinner on busy weeknights.
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My family is obsessed with buffalo chicken dip and make it as often as we can for movie nights, game day parties, or holiday celebrations. It’s a our go-to party dip for really any occasion and we have enjoyed it baked, in the slow cooker and recently on the stove top for the first time.
It was actually while cooking it on the stove top that inspired this recipe. I’ve tried many buffalo chicken pasta recipes over the years and they have either been too dry or were missing that creamy, buffalo chicken taste that we love.
So, I thought combining our favorite buffalo chicken dip with penne pasta on the stovetop and then finishing it off with more cheese, then bake it until hot and bubbly would make the perfect quick and easy dinner that my whole family would enjoy. And, I was right, because they still haven’t stopped talking about it and I have some picky eaters in my home, which is why I decided to share this easy recipe with you.
Why You Will Love This Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Easy to make with minimal ingredients and prep time.
- Perfect for using up leftover chicken as shredded chicken breast or rotisserie chicken works perfectly in this recipe.
- Great for game day because it combines two favorites-cheesy pasta and buffalo chicken dip for one crowd-pleasing dish.
- Simple to customize as you can add more or less hot sauce depending how spicy you want your buffalo chicken to be.
- Makes delicious leftovers since it reheats well so it’s perfect for an easy lunch or dinner the next day.
Looking for More Easy Buffalo Chicken Recipes?
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Pasta
This cheesy buffalo chicken pasta combines everything you love about buffalo chicken dip with hearty pasta making it perfect for an easy family dinner that everyone will enjoy.
You will need:
- Frank’s hot sauce
- ranch dressing
- shredded cooked chicken breast
- cream cheese
- Colby jack cheese
- Penne Pasta
How to Make This Delicious Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil the penne pasta according to the package directions.
- While your pasta is boiling, make your buffalo chicken mixture by adding the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce to a pan. Cook over medium-low heat until the cream cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add in the cooked shredded chicken breast and a cup of the Colby jack cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the chicken is heated through.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain and add to the buffalo chicken mixture. Then, transfer it to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese over the top and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Helpful Tips
- Use softened cream cheese so that it melts more easily into the buffalo chicken mixture.
- If you would like more buffalo flavor, you can add up to ¾ cup of hot sauce.
- Shred your own cheese instead of using prepackaged shredded cheese as it melts better.
Variations
- Prefer blue cheese over ranch? You can substitute the ranch for blue cheese dressing. You can also sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the top.
- Add in some veggies like chopped celery, or green onions for some extra flavor.
- Use a different cheese. Try it with cheddar or mozzarella instead.
- Switch up the pasta to rotini, rigatoni, or shells.
- Save time and use a shredded rotisserie chicken or canned chicken instead of the shredded chicken breast.
Storage
- Store leftover buffalo chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup Frank's hot sauce
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉ and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Boil the penne pasta according to the package directions.
- While the pasta is boiling, make your buffalo chicken mixture by adding the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce to a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the cream cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add in your cooked shredded chicken breast and a cup of the Colby Jack cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the chicken is heated through.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain and add to the buffalo chicken mixture. Then, transfer to the 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese over the top and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Helpful Tips
- Use softened cream cheese so that it melts more easily into the buffalo chicken mixture.
- If you would like more buffalo flavor, you can add up to ¾ cup of hot sauce.
- Shred your own cheese instead of using prepackaged shredded cheese as it melts better.
Variations
- Prefer blue cheese over ranch? You can substitute the ranch for blue cheese dressing. You can also sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the top.
- Add in some veggies like chopped celery, or green onions for some extra flavor.
- Use a different cheese. Try it with cheddar or mozzarella instead.
- Switch up the pasta to rotini, rigatoni, or shells.
- Save time and use a shredded rotisserie chicken or canned chicken instead of the shredded chicken breast.
Storage
- Store leftover buffalo chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Looking for more easy pasta recipes to make for dinner?
- Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe
- Baked Ziti with Meatballs
- Shortcut Chicken Parmesan Bake
- Cheesy Ritz Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Easy Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
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