Description
This One-Pot Buffalo Ranch Chicken Penne is a creamy, tangy, and spicy dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. Packed with tender chicken, al dente penne, and a rich buffalo ranch sauce, it’s a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz penne pasta (about 2½ cups)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
Substitutions:
- Heavy cream can be replaced with half-and-half or whole milk plus 1 tablespoon flour.
- Vegans can swap chicken for tofu or mushrooms.
- Use gluten-free penne and verify buffalo sauce is gluten-free for a gluten-free option.
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Add diced onion to the chicken and cook until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Create the Base Sauce: Pour in buffalo sauce and stir to coat the chicken. Simmer for 1 minute to infuse flavor.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Add dry penne and chicken broth. Stir well, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is almost al dente.
- Create the Creamy Element: Stir in ranch dressing and heavy cream. Add dried dill and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add Cheese and Finish: Sprinkle in 1½ cups mozzarella and stir until melted. Top with remaining mozzarella and blue cheese crumbles (if using). Cover for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with parsley and green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For milder spice, mix buffalo sauce with barbecue sauce. Reserve some cheese for topping but mix most into the sauce for even distribution. Let the dish rest before serving for optimal sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6th of dish)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: one-pot buffalo ranch chicken penne, buffalo ranch pasta, easy one-pot dinner