Description
This Buffalo Chicken Alfredo Penne is a delightful fusion of creamy Alfredo pasta and zesty Buffalo chicken. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that will satisfy your cravings for both comfort food and a spicy kick.
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs
- Classic Buffalo Hot Sauce (e.g. Frank's RedHot Wing Sauce)
- Heavy Cream
- Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic
- Butter
- Penne Rigate
- Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Chopped Green Onions
- Fresh Celery Leaves
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- Nutritional Yeast (for dairy-free option)
- Coconut Cream (for dairy-free option)
- Store-Bought Alfredo Sauce (optional)
- Chicken Broth or White Cooking Wine (optional for jarred sauce)
Instructions
- Cook the Penne: Get a large pot of salted water boiling. Add your penne pasta and cook according to package directions until it's al dente. Reserve about 1 to 1 ½ cups of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the Buffalo Chicken: Season raw chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pan-sear in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Shred or dice the chicken and toss with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Craft the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute. Pour in 2 cups of heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat and whisk in 1 ½ cups of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine and Conquer: Add buffalo-coated chicken into the Alfredo sauce and stir to combine. Add the drained penne pasta and toss until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- Final Touches and Serve: Stir in ½ cup of shredded mozzarella until melted. Divide among serving bowls and garnish with blue cheese crumbles, chopped green onions, and a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing. Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: For a milder buffalo sauce, mix more melted unsalted butter with the hot sauce. You can also use rotisserie chicken for a quicker meal or enhance store-bought Alfredo sauce with sautéed garlic and fresh Parmesan.