Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet
A quick and flavorful one-skillet meal combining buffalo chicken with creamy ranch dressing and pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 12 ounces Penne Pasta, cooked al dente
- 1/2 cup Buffalo Sauce
- 1/2 cup Ranch Dressing
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley or Green Onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
- Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, seasoning with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked (about 6 to 8 minutes).
- If the penne pasta isn't pre-cooked, boil it in salted water until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Lower the heat and stir in buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, chicken broth, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. If too thick, add reserved pasta water for desired consistency.
- Mix in shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
Serving
- Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions and serve hot.
Notes
Can be made ahead; store components separately. Consider pairing with a side salad or crusty bread.