Description
This creamy and flavorful Buffalo Chicken Alfredo Penne combines tender chicken pieces coated in spicy buffalo sauce with rich Alfredo sauce and perfectly cooked penne pasta. Topped with melted mozzarella, Parmesan, and optional blue cheese crumbles, this dish delivers the perfect balance of heat and creaminess for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound penne pasta
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnishes (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- Additional buffalo sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Begin by cooking the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook for about 7-10 minutes until browned on the outside and no longer pink inside. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned to build flavor.
- Add buffalo sauce and cream: Pour in the buffalo sauce and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to meld flavors.
- Melt the cheeses: Reduce heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese. Continue stirring until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, then add the drained penne pasta. Toss everything together thoroughly so the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the rich buffalo Alfredo sauce.
- Finish the dish: Stir in the lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste for brightness and balance.
- Garnish (optional): Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top and add blue cheese crumbles if desired for extra flavor and texture contrast.
- Drizzle buffalo sauce (optional): Pour additional buffalo sauce over the dish for an extra spicy kick, according to your preference.
- Serve: Serve the Buffalo Chicken Alfredo Penne hot and enjoy a creamy, spicy, and indulgent pasta dish perfect for any weeknight or special occasion.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting quality and flavor.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce based on your preferred spice level.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it slightly with a splash of pasta cooking water or milk.
- Blue cheese crumbles add authentic Buffalo wing flavor but can be omitted for a milder taste.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk for the heavy cream, but sauce may be less rich.
