Say hello to your new weeknight obsession: Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet. This irresistible one-pan meal brings together all the creamy, spicy goodness of everyone’s favorite game-day wings and the hearty comfort of pasta, made even better with ranch and gooey melted cheese. Quick enough for busy nights and bold enough to satisfy every craving, it’s a dish you’ll want in your regular dinner rotation.

Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet keeps things simple, but each ingredient delivers an essential flavor or texture. These pantry-friendly finds create a dynamite combo of creamy, spicy, and cheesy perfection, all in a single skillet.

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, they’re the hearty, protein-packed centerpiece that soak up all the spicy flavor.
Olive oil: Gives your chicken a beautiful sear and adds a rich, subtle base for the sauce.
Penne or rotini pasta: Their nooks and crannies hold on to loads of zesty sauce for extra flavor in every bite.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Helps the pasta cook to perfection and brings savory depth while keeping things lighter on salt.
Buffalo wing sauce: The star for boldness and heat, bringing that signature tangy-spicy flavor.
Ranch dressing: Soothes the heat from the buffalo sauce and adds creamy, herby richness.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for ultimate stretch and creaminess.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds sharpness and body that complements the buffalo and ranch flavors.
Garlic powder: Infuses the chicken with mellow, aromatic warmth.
Onion powder: Enhances the savory profile without fuss.
Salt and black pepper: Season to taste, always essential for balancing flavors.
Chopped green onions or parsley (optional): For a pop of fresh color and a bit of crisp bite at the end.

How to Make Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Start by heating up the olive oil in your largest skillet over medium-high heat, making your kitchen smell amazing right from the get-go. Add your seasoned chicken pieces, tossing them with the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a generous twist of black pepper. Watch as they brown up to juicy, golden nuggets—this is your flavor base, so don’t rush!

Step 2: Cook the Pasta and Sauce Together

Once the chicken is cooked through and gloriously browned, take it out and set it aside. Into the same skillet, pour in the uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and that vibrant buffalo wing sauce. Stir everything together, scraping up any tasty bits from the bottom, and then bring it to a bubbling boil. Drop the heat, cover, and let the magic happen for about 12 to 15 minutes—just enough time for the pasta to get tender, soaking up loads of flavor, and for most of the liquid to absorb into the mix.

Step 3: Add Creaminess and Cheesy Goodness

Now comes the richest part of the Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet—making it creamy and cheesy! Stir back in the cooked chicken, then fold in the ranch dressing, mozzarella, and cheddar. Give it a few extra stirs until everything becomes luxuriously saucy and the cheese melts right into the pasta. The skillet should look irresistibly creamy, spicy, and inviting.

Step 4: Let it Rest and Garnish

Take the skillet off the heat and let it chill for a couple minutes. This quick pause thickens the sauce so every forkful is perfectly coated. Right before serving, toss over a handful of chopped green onions or parsley for fresh punch and color—it’s totally optional, but it makes the final dish feel really special.

How to Serve Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet

Garnishes

For that classic buffalo chicken flair, sprinkle your skillet with extra chopped green onions or parsley for color, and maybe even a handful of crumbled blue cheese if you want extra zing. A final drizzle of ranch dressing or a light dusting of extra cheddar takes this Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet over the top—don’t be shy with the finishing touches!

Side Dishes

This skillet meal is filling enough to shine solo, but crisp celery sticks or a simple green salad with cooling ranch pair perfectly with the creamy heat. Need something heartier? Toast up some garlic bread to help swipe up every last bit of sauce—that’s a pro move for buffalo pasta lovers.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet right from the skillet for a rustic, no-fuss vibe at the table. For parties, scoop it into ramekins for individual servings, or pile it in lettuce cups if you’re feeling playful. For the ultimate wow, mound it up, then add a swirl of ranch and sprinkle of blue cheese right before guests dig in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet makes for the dreamiest next-day lunch. Cool any leftovers completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors seem to deepen as it sits, and everything stays surprisingly creamy for up to three days.

Freezing

While this pasta is designed to be enjoyed fresh, you can freeze portions for busy nights. Let the skillet cool, then portion it into airtight freezer containers. It freezes well for up to a month, but the cheese sauce may be a little less creamy after reheating—still absolutely tasty in a pinch!

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of chicken broth or milk to relax the sauce and keep everything supple. Stir frequently if you’re reheating on the stove, and cover loosely if using the microwave for best results.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of chicken for this skillet?

Absolutely! Thighs work beautifully and add a bit more richness. Just be sure to cut them into even pieces for fast, even cooking in your Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet.

How do I adjust the heat level?

Easily! Dial up the buffalo sauce for more kick, or cut it back if you’re serving spice-sensitive eaters. You can also serve extra ranch or blue cheese on the side to mellow things out.

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Definitely. Swap regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free penne or rotini. Make sure your buffalo sauce and ranch are gluten-free too, and you’ll have all the Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet flavor without the gluten.

Is there a way to make it vegetarian?

Yes! Substitute the chicken with plant-based chicken pieces or sautéed mushrooms for a meatless version. Use veggie broth instead of chicken broth, and follow the rest of the recipe as directed—still just as flavorful.

What cheeses work best in this recipe?

Mozzarella and sharp cheddar are my go-to’s for meltiness and flavor, but feel free to add a sprinkle of Monterey Jack or even some pepper jack if you like an extra spicy and creamy Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving big flavor without big effort, you need to give the Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet a try. It’s pure comfort food with just the right punch of heat, creamy ranch, and cheesy goodness all in one pan. Make it for dinner tonight and watch it disappear—friends and family are guaranteed to come running!

Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 18 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Bold & Zesty Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta Skillet is a delicious one-pan pasta dish that combines the flavors of buffalo chicken with creamy ranch sauce. This easy stovetop meal is perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Pasta:

2 cups uncooked penne or rotini pasta
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
1/4 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
Cook the Pasta: In the same skillet, add pasta, chicken broth, and buffalo sauce. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 12–15 minutes until pasta is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Finish the Dish: Stir in ranch dressing, cooked chicken, mozzarella, and cheddar. Mix until cheeses melt and everything is coated in a creamy sauce. Let sit for a few minutes to thicken.
Serve: Garnish with green onions or parsley and serve hot.