Description
This Bold Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet combines tender bite-sized chicken pieces with creamy ranch and spicy buffalo wing sauce, tossed together with penne pasta and melted cheeses for a flavorful one-pan meal that’s perfect for a hearty dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese and Garnish
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions or parsley (for garnish)
- Crumbled blue cheese (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne or rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set pasta aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and season them evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Sauté the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes until fully cooked and lightly browned on the outside.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, and chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to enhance flavor.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy buffalo ranch sauce.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the pasta mixture. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely, creating a creamy and cheesy coating over the pasta and chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with chopped green onions or parsley. Optionally, sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese. Serve the dish hot for a bold and zesty meal.
Notes
- Adjust the heat level by using more or less buffalo wing sauce according to your spice preference.
- Add diced celery for extra crunch or toss in a handful of spinach for a vegetable boost.
- To make this dish dairy-free, substitute ranch dressing and cheeses with vegan alternatives.
- This skillet meal can be prepared ahead by cooking the chicken and pasta separately and combining them with sauce when ready to serve.
