Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta combines two amazingly delicious dishes: Buffalo Chicken + Macaroni and Cheese! Creamy, cheesy, comfort food heaven where two worlds collide. If you can make boxed mac n' cheese, you can make this super simple dish!

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Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, (softened at room temperature, cubed)
• 1/4 cup buffalo sauce, (such as RedHot)
• 1 cup unsalted or low-sodium chicken stock, (or broth)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt, (more or less, to taste)
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
• 1 1/4 cup half and half, (or heavy cream/milk of choice)
• 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, (hand-shredded)
• 2/3 cup yogurt ranch dressing, (for a lighter option, or sub with regular ranch or blue cheese dressing)
• 12 oz rigatoni pasta, (or your favorite mac n' cheese pasta)
• Optional Garnishments:
• 1/2 cup regular panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 tbsp lightly dried parsley
• chopped chives

Instructions:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente or desired doneness. Drain and return to pot.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the cubed cream cheese, chicken stock, and buffalo sauce. Whisk until the cream cheese melts and the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
• Add the seasonings: garlic powder, salt, and smoked paprika. Stir to throughly combine.
• Pour in the half and half, add the shredded cheddar cheese, and stir to throughly combine.
• Once the cheese has melted, add the ranch dressing and stir to combine. Add the cooked, shredded chicken breast.
• Fold to incorporate and simmer on low for 5-6 minutes to allow the flavors to cook into the chicken and the sauce to thicken slightly.
• While you're waiting, prepare the garnishment, if using. Place a medium pan over medium heat. Add the unsalted butter to melt.
• Once melted and bubbling, add the panko breadcrumbs and stir to coat. Cook 1-2 minutes, or until the panko has browned slightly and is crispy. Toss with lightly dried parsley.
• Add the buffalo chicken cheese sauce to the large pot of pasta, toss to combine.
• Serve garnished with panko breadcrumb mixture, chopped chives, and a drizzle of extra ranch and buffalo sauce.

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