Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe

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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Casserole is an easy chicken dinner packed with cream cheese, buffalo sauce and cheese. Just like buffalo chicken dip, once you start eating, it’s hard to stop!

When you love buffalo chicken dip, the next step is to turn it into a pasta dinner! Move over baked ziti, there’s a new casserole in town.

Pasta with chicken and buffalo sauce in a skillet.
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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

When you’re looking for a simple family dinner, pasta is usually a crowd pleaser. But if you’re tired of the same old spaghetti sauce based dishes, try something new!

Children in the midwest learn to throw together a chicken pasta casserole at an early age. My chicken tetrazzini recipe is a winner of a meal.

Adding buffalo chicken flavor makes this incredible!

  • You can assemble the buffalo chicken casserole ahead of time.
  • Add more or less spice depending on your palate
  • This dish is both cheesy and flavorful, guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser!

Serve up tonight’s buffalo chicken pasta bake with my homemade ranch dressing or make an easy Olive Garden salad.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make buffalo chicken pasta bake.

My family loves this buffalo chicken casserole recipe and we keep these ingredients handy. Scroll to the recipe card below for full ingredient list and instructions.

  • Pasta – I love using penne pasta here, but bowtie or another shape would work well, too. Cook to al dente for best flavor and texture in this pasta bake.
  • Cream Cheese – I recommend a full-fat cream cheese for the richest flavor in this recipe. If you’re craving creamy buffalo chicken pasta, don’t skip this ingredient.
  • Buffalo Sauce – We use and love Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce. Sometimes referred to as buffalo wing sauce. Traditional hot sauce can work too in a pinch.
  • Chicken – Your chicken needs to be already COOKED for this recipe, so please plan accordingly. You can make my shredded chicken in the instant pot or boil some boneless, skinless chicken breasts ahead of time. You can also use a rotisserie chicken from the store or this leftover roasted chicken.
  • Dressing – You can top your pasta casserole with Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing. Not required, but it adds an extra boost.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Cook Pasta.

Step by step photos showing how to make buffalo sauce for pasta.

Make Sauce. While pasta is cooking, heat cream cheese, buffalo sauce and chicken broth in a large skillet. Simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until cream cheese is melted. Add in garlic powder and salt, whisking until smooth.

Aimee’s Tip

Everyone tolerates a varied spice level when it comes to buffalo chicken dip pasta. Feel free to add a little more when serving by drizzling the top with hot sauce.

Step by step photos showing how to assemble buffalo chicken pasta.

Add Chicken. Add 1 pound of COOKED, shredded chicken to the buffalo sauce and stir until well coated.

Combine and add Cheese. Add pasta, shredded mozzarella cheese, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese. If needed, heat for a few minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.

Buffalo chicken pasta served in a bowl drizzled with blue cheese dressing.

Tips and Tricks

  • Use your favorite pasta shape for this casserole, but choose one that has some ridges to help the sauce cling to the pasta. Penne and bowtie are my favorites for this dish. Medium shells or rigatoni would work well too.
  • Add extra cheese and green onions or parsley when serving, if desired. Mix mozzarella and cheddar into the casserole, then add more on top for extra creamy pasta.
  • Make ahead of time: Assemble this buffalo chicken dip pasta in a casserole dish and refrigerate until ready to bake. Heat until warmed through.
  • Serving suggestions: My family loves having a salad or side dish along with the chicken buffalo pasta bake. A simple mandarin salad is also a delicious green side! This applesauce recipe is a great palate cooler if the pasta is too spicy for you. And a slice of this Beer Bread goes with any dinner.
  • Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for 4 days. When reheating, add some heavy cream to the pasta mixture in a skillet.
  • Freeze assembled pasta dish by covering with foil or in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator then bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe

5 from 4 votes
By: Aimee
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Casserole is an easy chicken dinner packed with cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and cheese. Just like buffalo chicken dip, once you start eating it’s hard to stop!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound Penne Pasta
  • 1 package Cream Cheese 8 ounce
  • ½ cup Buffalo Sauce Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce
  • 1 cup Chicken Broth
  • 1 teaspoon galric powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 pound Chicken breast or thigh, cooked and shredded
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
  • ¼ cup Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing optional
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Instructions 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, make sauce.
  • For the sauce, in a large skillet, add cream cheese, buffalo sauce and chicken broth. Simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until cream cheese is melted and smooth.
  • Add in garlic powder and salt and whisk until smooth.
  • Add cooked chicken and stir until blended.
  • Fold in cooked pasta and shredded cheeses. Remove from heat and serve warm.
  • Top with a drizzle of ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing, if desired.

Notes

  • Once you’ve assembled the buffalo chicken pasta in a freezer safe casserole dish, cover with foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw in refrigerator overnight, then bake 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 341kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 80mg, Sodium: 974mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

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Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta is an easy, 30 minute meal recipe idea. Serve with blue cheese dressing!

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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

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Posted on May 15, 2024

5 from 4 votes

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