The first time I made this dish, it was a rainy Sunday, and the house smelled like spicy, cheesy heaven by noon. My husband walked in from a long dog walk and said, “What is that smell—and when do I get to eat it?” I just smiled, stirring the bubbling pot of creamy pasta, knowing we were in for something cozy, comforting, and downright delicious. If bold flavor and no-fuss meals make your heart happy, this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta is calling your name.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta is creamy, cheesy, and packed with the zippy kick of Buffalo sauce—just the way comfort food should be. It starts with tender chicken breasts cooked low and slow in savory broth and tangy sauces. Then it all comes together with melty cheese and pasta for a bowl that’s rich, spicy, and ridiculously easy. It’s a favorite for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or game day feasts. You get bold flavor, minimal prep, and a meal that feels like a warm hug.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll only need a few pantry and fridge staples to bring this cozy pasta together. Here’s what to grab:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Chicken broth
- Buffalo sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Cream cheese, cubed
- Penne pasta (uncooked)
- Shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
- Green onions, chopped
- Cooking spray for the pot
How to Make Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Let’s break it down into easy steps you can follow, even with a toddler on your hip or laundry tumbling in the dryer. Here’s how to make it:
Step 1 – Prep the Crock Pot
Spray the inside of your Crock Pot with cooking spray. Add the chicken breasts and pour the chicken broth right over them.
Step 2 – Add Sauces and Cream Cheese
Pour the Buffalo sauce and ranch dressing into the pot. Add the cubed cream cheese on top. Don’t worry about stirring just yet—it’ll all melt together beautifully.
Step 3 – Cook the Chicken
Cover the Crock Pot and cook everything on HIGH for 2 hours. This lets the chicken soak up all that spicy, creamy flavor while the cheese softens.
Step 4 – Cook the Pasta
Remove the chicken and set it aside. Give the pot a good stir to combine everything, then add your uncooked penne. Stir it in and cover again. Cook for 30 more minutes.
Step 5 – Chop Chicken and Finish the Dish
While the pasta cooks, chop up the cooked chicken. After 30 minutes, stir the pasta and return the chicken to the pot. Add your shredded cheese blend and stir to melt it into the sauce.
Step 6 – Add Green Onions and Serve
Let it all heat through for 10 more minutes. Stir in ½ cup of chopped green onions, then sprinkle the rest on top as a fresh, zesty garnish. Serve hot and dig in!
Tips for Success
- Need it faster? Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken and skip the first 2-hour cook. Just start with the sauce and pasta.
- Stir often after adding pasta to prevent clumps, especially if you use different noodles.
- Spice shy? Use less Buffalo sauce and more ranch for a milder version, or pick a mild Buffalo sauce like Sweet Baby Ray’s.
- Want a fun twist? Try this with cavatappi pasta or even macaroni for a play on Buffalo mac and cheese.
Storage and Reheating Info
Leftovers taste just as good the next day. Store any extra pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove. Add a splash of milk or broth if it thickens up too much—this brings the creamy texture right back.
Suggested Side Dishes
This hearty pasta shines on its own, but it’s even better with a few simple sides:
- A crisp green salad with ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Garlic bread or cheesy rolls to mop up the sauce
- Roasted veggies like broccoli or Brussels sprouts for balance
If you love spicy, creamy dishes like this, you’ll also enjoy my easy crockpot buffalo chicken dip—a game day must. Or for another cozy classic, try crockpot cheesy chicken spaghetti.
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe Card
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Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Creamy, spicy, and cheesy, this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a cozy dinner made easy with bold flavors and simple prep.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 ½ cups chicken broth
¾ cup Buffalo sauce
1 cup ranch dressing
8 oz cream cheese, cubed
10 oz penne noodles, uncooked
2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
½ cup + 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Cooking spray
Instructions
1. Spray the inside of the Crock Pot with cooking spray.
2. Place chicken breasts in the Crock Pot and pour chicken broth over them.
3. Add Buffalo sauce and ranch dressing over the chicken.
4. Top with cubed cream cheese. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours.
5. Remove chicken, set aside. Stir contents in the pot.
6. Add uncooked penne noodles. Stir and cover. Cook 30 minutes.
7. Chop cooked chicken. Stir pasta, add chicken and cheese blend.
8. Cook 10 more minutes to melt cheese and heat through.
9. Stir in ½ cup green onions. Garnish with remaining 2 tablespoons.
10. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
Reheat with added broth or milk to loosen the sauce.
Try with rotisserie chicken for quicker prep.
Adjust Buffalo-to-ranch ratio to control spice level.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Category: Slow Cooker Recipes
- Method: Crock Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 926
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 2620mg
- Fat: 62g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 33g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 56g
- Cholesterol: 206mg
Related Recipes to Try
- Crockpot garlic parmesan chicken pasta
- Slow cooker ranch chicken tacos
- Crockpot cheesy chicken spaghetti
FAQs
How do you know when crockpot chicken is done?
The chicken is done when it’s tender and easy to shred with a fork—usually after about 2 hours on HIGH or 4 hours on LOW.
How long does buffalo chicken pasta last in the fridge?
It keeps well for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat with a splash of milk or broth to keep it creamy.
Will pasta get mushy in a crock pot?
It can if overcooked. Stick to the 30-minute cook time after adding pasta, and stir halfway through to help it cook evenly.
Is buffalo sauce good on pasta?
Yes! Buffalo sauce adds a spicy, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with creamy cheese and tender chicken. It’s bold and comforting all at once.
Final Thoughts
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta is everything I want in a weeknight dinner: cozy, cheesy, a little spicy, and totally satisfying. It fills the house with mouthwatering smells and fills your belly with warmth. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turned out—leave a comment, rate the recipe, or share it with a fellow pasta lover!
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