Zesty Buffalo Chicken Alfredo Penne Recipe: Spicy-Creamy Fusion

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering buffalo chicken alfredo penne that blends spicy and creamy flavors in every single bite.

Tender chicken pieces dance with perfectly cooked pasta, creating a harmonious meal that screams indulgence.

The rich, velvety sauce carries a tangy buffalo kick that transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Pasta lovers will adore how effortlessly this recipe comes together with simple ingredients.

Each forkful promises a delightful balance of heat and smooth alfredo goodness.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing dish that disappears faster than you can say “seconds, please!” Serve this irresistible pasta and watch as everyone around the table becomes an instant fan.

Cook Up Chicken Alfredo with a Kick

• Fire Up the Skillet

Grab a large skillet and heat some olive oil over medium flame. Toss in diced chicken seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken turns golden and is completely done. Pull the chicken out and set it aside.

• Craft the Creamy Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and let minced garlic dance around for a minute. Pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly until it starts to bubble gently. Let it simmer and thicken up. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and buffalo sauce, then season with salt and pepper. Keep stirring until the sauce becomes silky smooth.

• Marry the Pasta and Protein

Slide the cooked penne and browned chicken into the luxurious sauce. Swirl everything together so each pasta piece gets drenched in that spicy, creamy goodness.

• Serve with Flair

Scoop the buffalo chicken alfredo into bowls. For an extra kick, crumble some blue cheese on top or splash a bit more buffalo sauce. Enjoy the flavor explosion!

Tips to Balance Heat and Creaminess

• Adjust buffalo sauce quantity to match your heat tolerance. Start with less sauce and gradually add more for personalized spice level without overwhelming the dish.
• Replace chicken with shredded rotisserie chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives like tofu or jackfruit for different protein options.
• Substitute penne with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to create a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version of the recipe.
• Prepare chicken and sauce separately in advance, storing them in refrigerator. Combine and reheat just before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
• Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan cheese to create a dairy-free version that still delivers rich, creamy flavor.

Serve Buffalo Alfredo with Comfort Foods

• Party Plate Perfection: Serve alongside a crisp garden salad with ranch dressing to balance the spicy buffalo chicken flavors.
• Comfort Companion: Pair with warm garlic bread or buttery breadsticks to soak up the delicious creamy sauce and add extra texture.
• Fresh Finish: Sprinkle extra chopped green onions, crumbled blue cheese, and a light drizzle of buffalo sauce on top for a restaurant-style presentation that enhances the dish's visual appeal and flavor profile.
• Cool Contrast: Add a side of cool cucumber or celery sticks to provide a refreshing crunch that complements the rich and spicy main dish.

Store Penne for Quick Weeknight Meals

• Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate the sauce and pasta if possible to maintain optimal texture.
• Warm portions in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore creamy consistency. Microwave works too, but stir every 30 seconds to prevent sauce separation.
• Pasta can be frozen for up to 1 month. Package in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
• Prepare chicken and sauce separately in advance. Cook pasta fresh when ready to serve, ensuring maximum flavor and preventing soggy noodles. Keep components refrigerated in separate containers for easy assembly during busy weeknights.

FAQs

• What makes buffalo chicken alfredo penne different from regular alfredo pasta?

The key difference is the addition of buffalo sauce, which adds a spicy kick and tangy flavor to the traditional creamy alfredo sauce, transforming a classic pasta dish into a bold, zesty meal.

• Is buffalo chicken alfredo penne considered a spicy dish?

It has a moderate level of heat from the buffalo sauce. The spiciness can be adjusted by using more or less buffalo sauce, allowing you to control the intensity of the flavor.

• Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

While penne works great, you can substitute with other pasta shapes like rigatoni, fettuccine, or shells. Choose a pasta with ridges or curves that can hold the creamy sauce well.

• How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick or burning?

Stir the sauce constantly and maintain a gentle simmer. If the sauce gets too thick, you can thin it out with a little pasta water or additional cream, ensuring a smooth and creamy consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 740 kcal

Servings: 4

Chicken Alfredo Penne Ingredients

• Chicken Breast: Tender protein that adds hearty flavor and satisfying texture to the dish, best when fresh and trimmed of excess fat.
• Garlic Powder: Enhances chicken's savory profile with subtle aromatic depth, choose a high-quality brand for maximum flavor.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky base for alfredo sauce, select high-fat content cream for richest texture.
• Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sauce, opt for unsalted to control overall dish seasoning.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers sharp, nutty undertone to sauce, freshly grated offers superior melting and flavor.
• Buffalo Sauce: Introduces spicy kick and tangy complexity, choose preferred heat level from mild to extra hot.

• Olive Oil: Helps sear chicken with subtle fruity undertone, select extra virgin for best quality.
• Minced Garlic: Adds intense aromatic base to sauce, fresh garlic provides more vibrant flavor than pre-chopped.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate overall dish flavor, freshly ground pepper recommended.
• Blue Cheese, Green Onions: Optional garnishes that provide contrasting creamy and fresh elements.
• Penne Pasta: Sturdy pasta shape that perfectly catches creamy sauce, cook al dente for ideal texture.
• Paprika: Adds subtle warmth and beautiful color to chicken, choose smoked or sweet variety.

Pasta Night Tools for Buffalo Alfredo Bliss

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and preparing the creamy sauce.
• Cooking Spatula: Perfect for stirring chicken and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping green onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise chopping and mincing garlic.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures correct amounts of cream and other liquid ingredients.
• Pasta Pot: Used for boiling penne pasta to perfect al dente texture.
• Serving Bowls: For presenting the final buffalo chicken alfredo dish.

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Alfredo Penne Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Alfredo Penne blends spicy kick with rich comfort. Pasta lovers savor zesty chicken, tangy sauce, and cheesy goodness in every delightful bite you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (453 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz (340 grams) penne pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Crumbled blue cheese
• Chopped green onions
• Additional buffalo sauce

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Instructions

1. Spice Preparation: Generously coat chicken with a blend of robust spices, creating a flavor-packed foundation for the dish.
2. Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet and expertly brown chicken pieces, ensuring a golden exterior and complete internal cooking with a tender, juicy texture.
3. Sauce Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic, then pour in heavy cream, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and develop a luxurious, velvety consistency.
4. Flavor Infusion: Whisk Parmesan cheese, buffalo sauce, and carefully selected seasonings into the cream base, stirring continuously to create a smooth, complex sauce that balances heat and richness.
5. Pasta Integration: Cook penne to al dente perfection, then combine with seared chicken, thoroughly coating each pasta piece in the buffalo alfredo sauce, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
6. Final Presentation: Transfer to serving plates, garnish with crumbled blue cheese, sprinkle chopped green onions, and add an optional buffalo sauce drizzle to amplify the dish’s visual and flavor profile.

Notes

• Spice Precision: Balance buffalo sauce heat carefully; adjust quantity to personal spice tolerance without overwhelming other flavors.
• Chicken Searing Technique: Use high heat and avoid overcrowding skillet to achieve golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Simmer sauce gently and stir continuously to prevent separation and ensure smooth, creamy texture.
• Cheese Melting Strategy: Add Parmesan gradually and off direct heat to prevent graininess and maintain silky sauce quality.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 683
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1100 mg
• Fat: 39 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg