Description
A flavorful and creamy buffalo chicken pasta that combines tender rigatoni with a spicy buffalo cream sauce, shredded rotisserie chicken, cheddar cheese, and garnished with green onions and crumbled blue cheese. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 ounces rigatoni
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (like Frank’s red hot)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Cheese and Protein
- 4 ounces shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
Garnish
- Thinly sliced green onion
- Crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the heavy cream, buffalo sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and add a couple of large pinches of kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper. Let the sauce cook for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Melt Cheese: Add the shredded mild cheddar cheese to the sauce and stir continuously until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked pasta and shredded rotisserie chicken to the sauce, stirring well to ensure everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the creamy buffalo chicken pasta to serving plates or a large bowl. Garnish generously with thinly sliced green onions and crumbled blue cheese. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
- Enjoy and Review: If you enjoyed this dish, consider leaving a 5-star rating and a review to share your feedback and help others discover this tasty recipe.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy protein addition.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spiciness of the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though this will affect creaminess.
- Blue cheese crumbles can be omitted or substituted with more cheddar if preferred.
- This recipe pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
