Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Feb. 19, 2026
This buffalo chicken pasta is my favorite way to turn everyone’s favorite party dip into a full meal. It’s creamy, has a bit of kick, and has a cheesy sauce that’s absolutely delicous. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
In This Article
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Amy’s Notes
This buffalo chicken pasta is one of my favorite easy dinner recipes when my house of men and boys want something cheesy and satisfying. I want a dinner that comes together fast. What I love about this recipe:
- Creamy and Cheesy Comfort: The sauce is made with cream cheese, ranch, and cheddar for a smooth, rich texture that coats every bite, similar to this Chicken Florentine Pasta.
- Customizable Heat: I can easily adjust the spice level by adding more hot sauce for extra kick or keeping it mild for a family-friendly dinner that still delivers bold flavor.
- Quick Weeknight Favorite: It comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights, like this Chicken Fajita Pasta.
- Feeds a Crowd: Whether it’s game night, a potluck, or a simple family dinner, this pasta always disappears fast and can be made ahead when I’m feeding a crowd.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Cream Cheese – Softened cream cheese melts into a smooth, rich base that gives the sauce its creamy texture and mild tang.
- Ranch Dressing – Adds a cool, herby flavor that balances the heat from the hot sauce. Use your favorite brand or homemade ranch.
- Hot Sauce – Brings the signature buffalo flavor and spice. Adjust the amount depending on how much heat you like.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese – Melts into the sauce for a bold, cheesy flavor that pairs perfectly with hot sauce.
- Chicken Broth – Thins out the sauce to the right consistency while adding savory depth. You can use low-sodium broth if preferred.
- Cooked Chicken Breast – Shredded chicken makes the dish hearty and full of protein. Rotisserie chicken works great for convenience.
- Penne Pasta – The tube shape holds onto the creamy sauce beautifully. Any short pasta like rotini or rigatoni also works.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Protein Options: I usually use shredded chicken breast, but rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken works great too. You can also swap in ground chicken or turkey for a twist.
- Pasta Choices: Penne is my favorite because it holds the sauce well. You can also use rotini, rigatoni, shells, or even spaghetti, if you’d like.
- Cheese Swaps: Sharp cheddar adds the most robust flavor, but mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack melt beautifully too. Try mixing two kinds for extra creaminess.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Melt cream cheese in a pot.
- Stir in ranch, hot sauce, cheddar.
- Add chicken and season.
- Cook and drain pasta.
- Toss with sauce, garnish and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Prep the Sauce Early: You can make the buffalo chicken sauce up to two days in advance. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to serve, warm it gently on the stove and whisk in a splash of broth to loosen it up.
- Make Entirely Ahead: If you want to make the full dish ahead, cook and combine everything, then store it in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a bit of broth or water to bring back the saucy texture.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a spin off of my favorite Buffalo Chicken Dip, made into dinner! It's easy, quick, and satisfying. Perfect weeknight or potluck meal.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese, whole, softened
- 1 ½ cups Ranch dressing, creamy
- 4 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 pounds cooked chicken breast, shredded
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 ounces penne pasta, see notes
- Optional Garnish: chopped parsley, green onions, blue cheese, or extra hot sauce
Instructions
- In a medium heavy pot, stir softened cream cheese over medium-low heat until melted and smooth.
- Stir in Ranch dressing, hot sauce, and cheese. Stir until mixture is well heated through.
- Add chicken broth and whisk until a sauce consistency is reached. Stir in the shredded chicken. Add salt or pepper to taste, if needed. Keep warm.
- Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, but do not rinse.
- Toss pasta with warm buffalo chicken sauce. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving, as this allows sauce to thicken up a bit. Garnish as desired and enjoy.
Notes
- We use 12 ounces of pasta, as the sauce tends to thicken up as it sits. We’ve also used 16 ounces of pasta with good results; if you use more pasta, leftovers will need to be thinned out with broth or water.
- Soften the cream cheese before melting so it blends smoothly into the sauce without lumps.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar for easier melting; pre-shredded cheese may have ingredients in it that cause it not to melt as easily.
- Cook the pasta just until al dente so it holds up when tossed with the creamy sauce.
- Don’t rinse the pasta after draining. The starch helps the sauce cling better to each piece.
- Make it ahead by preparing the sauce in advance and storing it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat before tossing with pasta.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat slowly over low heat, adding enough broth or water to bring back the saucy texture.
- This recipe is part of our 30-Minute Meal Recipes Collection.
- We love serving buffalo chicken pasta with Pull-Apart Rolls or Garlic Cheese Bread.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 950kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 98g | Fat: 99g | Saturated Fat: 37g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 28g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 640mg | Potassium: 1060mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1914IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 397mg | Iron: 4mg
What To Serve with Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Salads
- This creamy, spicy Buffalo Chicken Pasta pairs perfectly with something fresh and crisp. We love serving it alongside a cool Caprese Pasta Salad or a light Asian Pasta Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing for balance.
- For a heartier option, try it with Chicken Caprese Salad or a classic Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe – both add a fresh, satisfying touch to the meal.
Breads
- We like to round out this pasta dinner with something warm and comforting. Soft Pull-Apart Rolls are perfect for soaking up the extra buffalo sauce.
- It also pairs beautifully with Garlic Cheese Bread or French Bread Recipe for a comforting, cozy dinner everyone enjoys
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different kind of pasta?
Yes. Penne works great because it holds the creamy sauce well, but rotini, rigatoni, or shells are also good choices. Just cook the pasta until al dente so it doesn’t get too soft when mixed with the sauce.
Is it okay if I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooked chicken breast?
Yes, rotisserie chicken is perfect for this recipe. It saves time and adds great flavor. Just shred it and stir it into the sauce as directed.
Can I add vegetables to this pasta?
You can. Diced bell peppers, spinach, or steamed broccoli mix in nicely and add extra color and texture. Stir them in right before combining the sauce and pasta.
How long does it keep?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce thickens too much.
More to Cook and Eat
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