Description
This Buffalo Chicken Ranch Pasta is a creamy, spicy, and flavor-packed dish that combines tender chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and creamy ranch dressing with pasta. It’s a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for buffalo sauce lovers! Serve it with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup milk (to thin the sauce, if needed)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the cream cheese and stir until smooth.
- Add flavor: Stir in buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a little milk to thin it out.
- Combine everything: Add the cooked chicken to the sauce, stirring to coat. Then add the drained pasta and mix well.
- Add cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts and the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and extra cheese if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy meal.
- Adjust buffalo sauce to your spice preference—add more for extra heat!
- Add crispy bacon bits or blue cheese crumbles for even more flavor.
- For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese and low-fat ranch dressing.
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.