Description
Creamy buffalo chicken pasta bake delivers spicy comfort in one hearty dish. Cheesy noodles mixed with zesty buffalo sauce and tender chicken create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
Pasta and Base:
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Spices and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup green onions
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Dice chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized cubes, seasoning thoroughly with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add chicken cubes to the skillet, cooking until golden brown and fully cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Pour buffalo hot sauce into the skillet, coating the chicken pieces completely and allowing them to simmer for 2 minutes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, chicken broth, and ranch dressing, whisking until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Add cooked pasta and saucy chicken to the cream mixture, stirring gently to ensure even distribution.
- Transfer the pasta and chicken blend into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar and blue cheese crumbles across the top of the pasta.
- Melt butter and mix with breadcrumbs, then scatter the buttery crumb mixture over the cheese layer.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and breadcrumbs turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor depth to the dish.
- Lower the heat intensity by selecting mild buffalo sauce for those with sensitive palates.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter, healthier version of the casserole.
- Keep pasta slightly undercooked during initial boiling since it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack or monterey jack for unique flavor profiles.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and reduce overall kitchen time.
- Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or spinach to increase nutritional value and create a more balanced meal.
- Let the dish rest fully before serving to allow cheese and sauce to set, ensuring better portion integrity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1050 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg