One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken is the kind of dish that instantly fills the kitchen with a bold, tangy aroma that makes it hard to wait for dinner.
When I first brought this One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken recipe together, the sizzling chicken, smoky sausage, and buttery garlic created a rich base that smelled incredible on its own.
As the buffalo sauce blended into the creamy cheese mixture, everything transformed into a velvety, slightly spicy sauce that clung perfectly to every piece of pasta.
What I love most is how the heat from the buffalo sauce balances with the richness of the cream, creating a comforting yet exciting dish that feels both indulgent and satisfying.
Key Ingredients in One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken Recipe
When I gathered One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken ingredients, I realized how each one plays an important role in building flavor.
-12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
-¾ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
-10 oz smoked sausage (beef or turkey), sliced into thick rounds
-2 tbsp olive oil
-3 tbsp butter, divided
-1 small onion, finely diced
-5 cloves garlic, minced
-Salt, to taste
-½ tsp black pepper
-½ tsp smoked paprika
-2 tbsp all-purpose flour
-1¼ cups chicken broth
-1¼ cups heavy cream
-½ cup buffalo sauce
-8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed (optional)
-½ cup cream cheese, softened (optional)
-¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
-½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
-¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
-½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
-2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or green onions (for garnish)
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One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken And Sausage Bowtie Pasta
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken Recipe is a rich, spicy, and comforting skillet meal made with tender chicken, smoked sausage, bowtie pasta, garlic, butter, cream, buffalo sauce, and melted cheeses, all cooked together for bold, creamy flavor.
Ingredients
12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
¾ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
10 oz smoked sausage (beef or turkey), sliced into thick rounds
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp butter, divided
1 small onion, finely diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1¼ cups chicken broth
1¼ cups heavy cream
½ cup buffalo sauce
8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed (optional)
½ cup cream cheese, softened (optional)
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
Place a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, then add it to the hot pan. Let it cook until golden and slightly crisp around the edges. Remove it from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the sausage slices. Cook until browned and caramelized on both sides. Transfer them to the plate with the chicken.
Reduce the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the diced onion and cook until soft and lightly golden. Add the garlic and stir just until fragrant.
Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and stir continuously for about a minute so it forms a smooth base without any raw flour taste.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring, then add the heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer gently until it starts to thicken.
Stir in the buffalo sauce and mix until the color turns creamy orange and everything looks well blended.
If using, add the Velveeta and cream cheese, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Then mix in the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan until the sauce becomes thick, glossy, and very cheesy.
Stir the uncooked bowtie pasta straight into the skillet, pressing it down so most of it sits under the sauce.
Return the chicken and sausage to the pan. Cover and let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened around it.
Finish by stirring in the remaining butter for extra richness. Sprinkle with parsley or green onions and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Serve hot right from the skillet.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: American
If you enjoy One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken, you might also love exploring recipes like One Pan Chicken and Potatoes 10 Minute Prep, Cheesy Rotel Ground Beef Bowtie Pasta in Creamy Cheddar Sauce, or Cajun Garlic Beef Tortellini in Creamy Parmesan Sauce for more delicious ideas.
How to Make One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken Step-by-Step
- I started by heating olive oil in a large skillet and seasoning the chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Once it hit the pan, the sizzle was immediate, and the chicken quickly developed a golden crust. After cooking it through, I set it aside to keep those flavors intact.
- Next, I added the smoked sausage to the same skillet. As it browned, the edges caramelized beautifully, adding a deeper smoky flavor that really enhanced the dish.
- Then I reduced the heat and melted butter before adding onion and garlic. Stirring them gently allowed their natural sweetness to come out, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
- I sprinkled in flour and stirred constantly to create a smooth roux. This step helps thicken the sauce later, so it coats the pasta perfectly.
- Slowly, I poured in chicken broth and heavy cream, watching the mixture transform into a silky sauce as it simmered. Then I stirred in the buffalo sauce, which gave everything its signature color and flavor.
- Once the sauce was ready, I added the optional cheeses, stirring until everything melted into a thick, creamy mixture.
- I then added the uncooked bowtie pasta directly into the skillet, followed by the chicken and sausage. Covering the pan allowed the pasta to cook while absorbing all the rich flavors.
- After the pasta became tender, I finished the One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken dish with a touch of butter, then garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Conclusion
This One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken is one of those meals I keep coming back to because One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and bold buffalo heat come together in a way that feels comforting yet exciting. One Pan Creamy Buffalo Chicken is the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table and leaves them asking for seconds.
Looking for inspiration? Visit Elise Chef on Pinterest to explore beautifully curated high-fiber recipes and discover your next healthy habit.