Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
May 29, 2022
: 6
: 10 min
: 1 hr
: 1 hr 10 min
: Easy!
Buffalo chicken wings are one of my favorite foods but this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake might be a major competitor. It's everything you love about wing night baked into a creamy pasta perfection. Our favorite buffalo sauce is Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce made with Cashew Butter and if you have never had it before, I highly recommend it! However, use your favorite buffalo sauce or even make your own! This pasta is perfect for feeding a crowd and even better for leftovers. I just know you're going to love this one!
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 stalks of celery diced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 1/2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- 1/4 cup tamed jalapeño slices
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 16 OZ penne pasta
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- Buffalo sauce, chopped parsley and prepared ranch for drizzling (optional)
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat oven to 375 degree F.
- Step 2 Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, smoked paprika and salt.
- Step 3 Bake chicken to an internal temperature 165 degree F.
- Step 4 Once chicken is finished, set aside to cool. Once cool, shred or chop chicken into bite sized pieces.
- Step 5 Meanwhile, bring a large stock pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta for 5 minutes.
- Step 6 After 5 minutes, drain the pasta and set aside.
- Step 7 Using the same stock pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Step 8 Add diced celery and garlic. Cook until softened.
- Step 9 Once softened, add flour. Stirring constantly, cook flour 1-2 minutes.
- Step 10 After 1-2 minutes, slowly add the milk while stirring to incorporate.
- Step 11 Bring the milk mixture up to a high temperature but turn the heat off as soon as you notice it almost simmering.
- Step 12 Add shredded cheddar cheese, buffalo sauce, jalapeños, ranch seasoning mix, and chicken. Stir until cheese is melted and the mixture starts to thicken.
- Step 13 Once thickened, add pasta and blue cheese. Mix until pasta is evenly coated.
- Step 14 Transfer the pasta into a 9X13 casserole dish.
- Step 15 Bake pasta for 30 minutes.
- Step 16 After 30 minutes, remove from oven and top with shredded gruyere cheese.
- Step 17 Bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Step 18 After 10 minutes, remove the pasta from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Step 19 Drizzle buffalo sauce and ranch over the top. Sprinkle on chopped parsley. Serve!