Description
This Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a flavorful, creamy dish combining smoky shredded chicken with spicy buffalo sauce, melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and tender rigatoni pasta. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with a delightful kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Cheese
- 2 cups cooked smoked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
Pasta
- 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped green onions
- Crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne or rigatoni pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Prepare Sauce: Stir in heavy cream, buffalo sauce, and softened cream cheese into the skillet. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Add Cheeses: Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese to the sauce, stirring gently until both cheeses are fully melted and incorporated.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the smoked chicken and cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated and heated through.
- Season and Serve: Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped green onions and crumbled blue cheese if desired.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spiciness of the dish according to your preference.
- For an extra smoky flavor, add smoked paprika or a few dashes of liquid smoke if smoked chicken is unavailable.
- Consider drizzling ranch or blue cheese dressing on top before serving for added creaminess and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
