This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe is loaded with flavor, packed with protein, and ready in under 30 minutes thanks to a few straightforward shortcuts.
author’s note
The 30-Minute Buffalo Pasta Everyone Loves!
I’ve made a lot of buffalo chicken recipes over the years, and I kept seeing buffalo chicken pasta pop up everywhere. I knew I wanted to make my own version, but I also knew one thing right away… it had to be simple. This is the kind of dinner I’m making on a busy weeknight when I don’t want anything complicated or time-consuming, so I wasn’t about to turn it into a whole project.
Instead, I kept everything really straightforward and focused on what actually makes this kind of dish good. I used a really solid Alfredo sauce, paired it with buffalo sauce, and let the chicken cook in the pan long enough to get those flavorful browned bits.
The end result is exactly what I was hoping for. The sauce is creamy, a little spicy, and has that satisfying buffalo flavor without being too heavy or overwhelming. It feels a little extra compared to a basic pasta dinner, but it’s still something I can throw together quickly without thinking too hard about it.
If you’re on a total buffalo chicken kick like me you have to try my buffalo chicken tenders, buffalo chicken wraps, or buffalo chicken bowl next!
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe Ingredients
| Ingredient | Tip or Swap |
|---|---|
| Alfredo sauce | Use a good-quality jar or make yourself. This is the base of the flavor, so it matters more than you think. |
| Buffalo sauce | Go for a buffalo-style sauce, not straight hot sauce for better balance. |
| Chicken | Cut into thinner pieces so it cooks fast and evenly. |
| Pasta | Penne works great, but any short pasta holds the sauce well. |
| Frozen peas | straightforward add-in for color and texture, but totally skippable. |
| Butter | Helps the chicken get that golden sear and boosts flavor. |
How To Make This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Pasta: Boil in well-salted water until just tender. Don’t skip salting the water.
- Chicken: Sear in butter until cooked through, then let it rest before chopping.
- Sauce: Add Alfredo and buffalo to the same pan and scrape up all browned bits.
- Combine: Toss in pasta, chicken, and peas and stir until coated and warmed through.
- Finish and serve: Top with blue cheese and green onions if you like and serve.
Storage
Can You Freeze This Recipe?
As with most pasta dishes, this buffalo chicken pasta recipe is best enjoyed the minute everything is tossed together.
Because of the pasta and dairy in this dish, it is not a great candidate for freezing and thawing. Dairy-filled dishes typically get grainy or the sauce can break/curdle from being frozen and thawed.
More Flavorful Pasta Recipes:
Dinner
Red and White Pasta
Dinner
Broccoli Pasta (SO straightforward!)
Pasta And Pizza
Vegetable Pasta Recipe
Dinner
Steak Alfredo Recipe
