Description
Creamy buffalo chicken alfredo penne blends spicy buffalo sauce with classic Italian alfredo for a bold pasta experience. Cheese-coated noodles and tender chicken create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- Chopped green onions (optional)
- Additional buffalo sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Protein Preparation: Season chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear in heated olive oil until golden-brown and fully cooked, creating a flavorful protein base. Remove and set aside on a separate plate.
- Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Gradually whisk in heavy cream, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce, developing a luxurious, silky texture.
- Flavor Fusion: Incorporate Parmesan cheese, buffalo sauce, and additional seasonings into the cream base. Stir until the sauce transforms into a velvety, rich consistency that promises intense flavor and smooth texture.
- Combining Elements: Return cooked chicken to the skillet with perfectly prepared penne pasta. Gently toss to ensure complete coating, allowing the sauce to embrace both pasta and protein with its spicy, creamy essence.
- Final Presentation: Plate the buffalo chicken alfredo with artistic flair. Garnish with crumbled blue cheese, chopped green onions, and an optional drizzle of buffalo sauce to elevate the dish’s visual appeal and taste profile.
Notes
- Manage Chicken Moisture: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crisp, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk heavy cream slowly and steadily to prevent curdling, maintaining a smooth, silky texture that coats pasta perfectly.
- Balance Spice Levels: Adjust buffalo sauce quantity based on heat preference; start with less and gradually add to customize the dish’s spiciness.
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Cook penne al dente, approximately 1-2 minutes less than package instructions, as it will continue absorbing sauce and softening during final mixing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg