Craving a mouthwatering meal that's both indulgent and guilt-free? Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with our Lightened Up Buffalo Chicken Penne – the ultimate comfort food that combines the fiery kick of buffalo sauce with creamy mozzarella and tender chicken! This recipe is about to become your new weeknight hero, delivering restaurant-quality flavor in just 27 minutes flat. Whether you're a spice lover or just looking for a quick and delicious dinner that'll impress the whole family, this dish is your perfect match!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 27 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 cup penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by cutting chicken into bite-sized cubes, measuring out buffalo sauce, and chopping fresh cilantro.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper on all sides, ensuring even coating.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through with no pink remaining.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and pour buffalo sauce over cooked chicken, stirring to coat evenly. Allow sauce to simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Add cooked penne pasta to the skillet with chicken and buffalo sauce. Toss gently to combine and ensure pasta is well-coated.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta and chicken mixture. Cover the skillet and let cheese melt for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.
- Serve hot, directly from the skillet, ensuring each portion has a good mix of chicken, pasta, and cheese.
Tips
- Chicken Cooking Pro Tip: Ensure your chicken is cut into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve that perfect golden-brown exterior.
- Sauce Control: If you're sensitive to spice, start with less buffalo sauce and add more to taste. Different brands can vary in heat intensity.
- Cheese Melting Hack: For the most luxurious cheese melt, use freshly shredded mozzarella instead of pre-packaged shredded cheese. It melts more smoothly and has a better flavor.
- Pasta Perfection: Cook your penne just until al dente to prevent mushy pasta. Remember, it'll continue to cook slightly when mixed with the hot chicken and sauce.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the chicken and chop ingredients in advance to make cooking even quicker on busy nights.
- Customization Options: Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for added nutrition, or swap cilantro for green onions if you prefer.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve with a side of cool ranch or blue cheese dressing to balance the buffalo sauce's heat.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 95mg
