If you’re someone who craves bold flavors wrapped in creamy comfort, you’re going to love this Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe. It’s like your favorite game day wings collided with a dreamy, cheesy pasta, all brought together with that irresistible smoky chicken. Whether you’re hosting friends or simply treating yourself on a weeknight, this dish is impossibly comforting and packs just the right punch of heat—plus it’s way easier than you might expect.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe comes together with a handful of simple, readily-available ingredients, each playing a crucial role in flavor, texture, and visual appeal. Don’t skip on the garnishes—they’re the final touch that makes this Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe shine!
- Penne pasta: Its tube shape perfectly captures all that luscious, creamy buffalo sauce for every bite.
- Olive oil: Just a drizzle keeps everything moving in the pan and adds a hint of richness.
- Smoked chicken breast: The secret to that savory, deep flavor—smoked chicken truly sets this dish apart.
- Unsalted butter: Adds glossy richness and helps bloom the garlic in the pan.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for a pop of sharpness that brightens up the sauce.
- Hot buffalo sauce: This brings instant tang and heat—adjust to your taste!
- Heavy cream: Makes the sauce extra luxurious and balances out the heat.
- Cream cheese: Softened for a perfectly smooth, velvety sauce with irresistible body.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp, melty, and an essential companion to anything buffalo-flavored.
- Mozzarella cheese: Ensures pull-apart creaminess in every forkful.
- Salt and pepper: Because every great pasta needs seasoning tailored to your palate.
- Green onions: Sliced thin for a fresh bite and a hint of color across the top.
- Crumbled blue cheese and chopped parsley (optional): The blue cheese adds classic buffalo character, while parsley gives an herby finish—both are finishing touches worth trying!
How to Make Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Once bubbling, add the penne pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the noodles, then set them aside—you want them ready right when your sauce is finished so everything can come together while still piping hot.
Step 2: Warm Up the Smoked Chicken
In a spacious skillet, heat the olive oil over medium flame. Toss in your shredded smoked chicken, stirring it gently for just 2–3 minutes until warmed through. This short sauté brings out the smokiness and ensures the chicken is juicy and sizzling when it hits your sauce. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep it handy.
Step 3: Start the Sauce Base
Without cleaning the skillet (hello, flavor!), melt in the butter and add your minced garlic. Using medium heat, let the garlic sauté for about 30 seconds until aromatic—be careful not to burn it. The smell at this step will have everyone in the house wandering into the kitchen.
Step 4: Create the Buffalo Cream Sauce
Now, pour in your buffalo sauce and heavy cream, whisking gently to bring them together. Once the mixture is steamy and well-blended, add softened cream cheese in pieces, stirring continuously. Don’t worry if it looks lumpy at first—just keep stirring and it will melt down into a silky, decadent base.
Step 5: Melt in the Cheeses
With the sauce on low heat, add in the cheddar and mozzarella. Keep the mixture moving with a spatula or whisk until both cheeses have fully melted. The sauce should be thick, smooth, and dreamy by now. Taste, then season with salt and pepper to fit your flavor cravings.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Add the drained pasta and the warmed smoked chicken into the skillet with the creamy buffalo sauce. Toss everything together so every noodle gets glossy and coated in that vibrant sauce. Cook for another minute or two, just until heated through and completely combined.
Step 7: Top and Serve
Sprinkle those sliced green onions across the top. If you’re feeling indulgent, add crumbled blue cheese and fresh parsley over each serving. Serve immediately while everything is still hot and melty—this is comfort food at its finest.
How to Serve Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
A handful of green onions gives a pop of color and freshness, but the blue cheese and parsley are where the Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe earns extra flair. The blue cheese melts just slightly, adding a creamy bite that perfectly offsets the tangy heat. Don’t be shy—garnish generously if you love those classic buffalo notes.
Side Dishes
This pasta is definitely the star, but you can pair it with a simple green salad, some cool celery sticks, or classic garlic bread for dunking. If you want to go all-in on the buffalo theme, crisp oven-baked potato wedges or lightly steamed broccoli are also delicious additions to the table.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this dish family-style in a big skillet for a casual gathering, or spoon it into shallow pasta bowls and top each one with extra blue cheese crumbles for a restaurant-worthy look. For parties, portion it into small cups or ramekins, sprinkle with cheddar, and broil until bubbling—a total crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftover Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe into a tightly sealed container. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to three days, making it a quick lunch or dinner you’ll actually look forward to. Don’t forget to pack up a little extra buffalo sauce for drizzling if you like things extra saucy!
Freezing
If you want to freeze this pasta, let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for up to two months, though the creaminess may be slightly reduced after reheating. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To bring your Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe back to life, reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce and stir until everything is hot and creamy again. Microwave reheating also works—just go slow and stir between bursts so nothing scorches.
FAQs
Can I make this pasta with rotisserie or grilled chicken?
Absolutely! If smoked chicken isn’t handy, rotisserie or grilled chicken works wonderfully. The key is that the chicken is already cooked, so you just need to shred it and warm it through as instructed for the Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe.
How spicy is this dish?
This one is pleasantly bold but not fiery. You control the heat with the buffalo sauce—dial it up or down (or add more cream) to suit your crowd. Mild buffalo sauces work beautifully for a gentler version.
Can I use a different type Main Course
You sure can! Penne is optimal for soaking up the sauce, but any short pasta shape like rigatoni, fusilli, or rotini will do the job. Even elbow macaroni gives you that comforting, cheesy, saucy magic.
Is there a dairy-free option?
While the creaminess is a signature, you can substitute with dairy-free cream cheese, plant-based heavy cream, and your favorite non-dairy cheeses. Make sure your buffalo sauce is also dairy-free for a fully plant-based version.
What toppings can I add for extra crunch?
If you love a bit of wow-factor, top your Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe with crispy fried onions, more green onions, or even crushed seasoned croutons. The contrast is delightful!
Final Thoughts
Once you make this Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe, you’ll want it in your regular dinner lineup for sure. It’s an unbeatable combo of smoky chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and melty cheeses—all in under 30 minutes. Gather your ingredients and give it a try soon; your tastebuds and your dinner guests will thank you!
Print
Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the bold flavors of this Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe. Shredded smoked chicken in a creamy, spicy buffalo sauce tossed with penne pasta and topped with blue cheese – a satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 1 pound cooked smoked chicken breast, shredded
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup hot buffalo sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Crumbled blue cheese and chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook penne pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet, add smoked chicken, and cook briefly. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter, sauté garlic, add buffalo sauce and heavy cream. Stir in cream cheese until melted. Mix in cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until creamy.
- Combine Everything: Add pasta and chicken to the skillet, toss to coat. Cook briefly, then top with green onions, blue cheese, and parsley.
Notes
- Adjust heat level by varying buffalo sauce amount.
- Rotisserie or grilled chicken can substitute smoked chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
