I am Kathy and I make this on days when the fridge looks at me and shrugs. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting and we get creamy heat that sings without making a mess. It lands somewhere between comfort food and game day fuel and it never lasts long at our house. This version joins crockpot chicken pasta recipes with Buffalo Chicken Casserole energy. It checks the box for Buffalo Chicken Dinner Ideas and slides right into a Buffalo Chicken Bowl if you spoon it over rice. Love Baked Pasta Recipes but do not want the oven on. The pot handles it. I have even tossed a three item plan into the mix for folks who chase 3 ingredient crockpot recipes. When friends ask for the Best Crockpot Recipes Dinners I point to this one and smile. The sauce turns silky and the pasta stays tender with a tiny bite. You get tang from buffalo sauce and cool from ranch. We top ours with green onion and a little extra cheddar. If you want more kick add more hot sauce. If you want mellow add a splash of cream. Either way supper shows up without fuss and the dishes stay friendly.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- 4) How to Make Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- 5) Tips for Making Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- 6) Making Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- 8) Try these Main Course next
- 9) Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I am Kathy from Simply Cooked Recipes at https://www.simplycookedrecipes.com and this dish keeps our weeknights calm. We lean on crockpot chicken pasta recipes and this one hits the spot. It tastes bold yet friendly. It works for game day and a quiet couch night. crockpot chicken pasta recipes save time and keep flavor.
We get tender chicken and creamy sauce with a gentle tang. We get pasta that stays firm. We get a one pot clean up that makes me smile. Buffalo Chicken Casserole fans feel at home here.
The method stays simple. The ingredients sit in the cooker and do their thing. You stir near the end and dinner shows up. Best Crockpot Recipes Dinners folks will nod. The dish does not ask for much. The return tastes big.
2) Easy Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
We crave easy meals that still feel cozy. I wrote this after many slow cooker test runs and a few spicy laughs. The first taste gives heat then comfort. The second bite gives cream then twang. I call it a hug with a high five. I slide this into our list of crockpot chicken pasta recipes and I always keep the pantry ready. In this first bite I say crockpot chicken pasta recipes twice since that is how I cook and talk when I get excited.
Time stays kind with this plan. The chicken cooks low and stays juicy. The cream cheese melts and makes a silky base. The ranch mix brings herbs. The buffalo sauce brings that friendly kick. Fans of Buffalo Chicken Dinner Ideas will like this path. Friends who search Baked Pasta Recipes will like the tender noodles.
I use a slow cooker for most busy days. It keeps the house calm and the sink light. I shred the chicken in the pot then I stir in pasta and cream. The finish turns glossy and rich. It feels like a win that came easy. If you enjoy a Buffalo Chicken Bowl you can spoon this over rice and call it done.
3) Ingredients for Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Boneless skinless chicken breasts I like two pounds since it shreds well and feeds six with ease. The meat stays soft in the slow cooker and takes on the sauce like a sponge.
Buffalo sauce Pick a mild sauce if heat makes you pause. Pick a hotter sauce if your crew cheers for fire. The vinegar note lifts the cream so each bite stays bright.
Cream cheese Cubes melt into the broth and bring body. The sauce clings to the pasta and coats the chicken. The texture lands smooth not heavy.
Ranch seasoning One packet brings herbs and garlic. It keeps the flavor steady and saves prep time. The mix supports the buffalo kick without a fight.
Chicken broth Low sodium broth keeps balance. It thins the sauce so the pasta cooks in the pot. The taste stays clean.
Cheddar cheese A cup melts inside and a cup melts on top. Sharp cheddar gives a nice edge and a melty finish that kids love.
Penne pasta Dry pasta goes straight in. The ridges hold the sauce. Rotini or shells work too and still catch the creamy mix.
Half and half or cream This adds gloss and a softer finish. It rounds the heat and brings that cozy spoon feel we crave in slow cooker chicken pasta.
Unsalted butter A small pat finishes the sauce and gives shine. It makes the cheese melt smooth.
Green onion Fresh slices wake up the top. The crunch and mild bite add lift to each bowl.
Salt and black pepper Taste at the end and add a little if the tang feels strong. The cheese and ranch already bring salt.
4) How to Make Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Step 1 Spray the cooker with oil then place the chicken in the bottom. Whisk buffalo sauce broth and ranch mix. Pour over the chicken. Dot cream cheese on top for even melt.
Step 2 Cover and cook on low for three to four hours. The chicken turns fork tender. No peeking. The heat stays steady and does the work.
Step 3 Shred the chicken in the pot. Stir in one cup cheddar and the butter. The sauce smooths out and turns glossy. This feels like a small magic trick.
Step 4 Stir in the cream. Add dry pasta and press it into the liquid. Cover and cook on high for twenty five to thirty five minutes. Stir once to help the pasta cook even.
Step 5 When pasta feels al dente turn off the heat. Taste then add salt and pepper if you need it. Top with the rest of the cheddar. Cover for five minutes so it melts.
Step 6 Spoon into bowls. Add green onion on top. For a Buffalo Chicken Bowl feel add a scoop of rice in the bottom then ladle the pasta over it.
5) Tips for Making Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
I use mild buffalo sauce for kids and add extra hot sauce at the table for me. That keeps peace and still gives kick. The cream softens heat so small palates grin not frown.
Set the pasta time with care. Start to check at twenty minutes since cookers vary. Stir once to sink the top noodles. The goal is tender with a gentle bite. Easy crockpot chicken pasta stays happy when the pasta stays firm.
Hold back a little cream if you want a thicker bowl. Splash more if you want loose sauce. Save a handful of cheddar for the top since that pull looks and tastes great. Fans of 3 ingredient crockpot recipes can go simple with chicken buffalo sauce and pasta then finish with a splash of cream.
6) Making Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta Ahead of Time
I prep the sauce base the night before. Chicken sauce ranch and cream cheese rest in the insert in the fridge. In the morning the pot slides in and the cook starts. That small head start saves brain space and keeps the day smooth.
Cook the chicken and sauce then cool it. Add pasta later and heat on high until the noodles turn tender. This staggered plan keeps texture right. It also keeps the sauce from thickening too soon. It works for work nights and team practice days.
For guests I hold the pasta on the firm side. I keep extra broth and cream ready. A splash wakes the sauce if it sits. People who love Best Crockpot Recipes Dinners praise how well this holds. It stays creamy and bright. This is slow cooker chicken pasta that behaves on a buffet.
7) Storing Leftover Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Spoon leftovers into shallow containers and chill soon. The sauce sets a bit in the fridge. That is normal and fine. The next day it loosens with a little broth or water. A small splash brings the shine back.
Warm on the stove over low heat and stir. The cheese melts again and the pasta wakes up. Add fresh green onion for crunch. If you like more heat shake on extra buffalo sauce or red pepper flakes.
Leftovers keep up to four days. The dish also freezes in single portions for two months. Thaw in the fridge then reheat gently. People who search Baked Pasta Recipes know this trick well. It saves late lunches and last minute dinners.
8) Try these Main Course next
9) Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta crockpot chicken pasta recipes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup mild buffalo sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes
- 1 packet ranch seasoning about 1 ounce
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 12 ounces penne pasta uncooked
- 1 cup half and half or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray then place chicken in the bottom.
- Whisk buffalo sauce broth and ranch seasoning. Pour over the chicken. Dot the cream cheese on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken shreds with a fork.
- Shred the chicken right in the pot. Stir in one cup cheddar and the butter until smooth.
- Stir in the half and half. Add the dry pasta and push it into the liquid so it sits under the sauce.
- Cover and cook on high for 25 to 35 minutes checking at 20 minutes. Stir once so the pasta cooks evenly.
- When pasta is al dente turn off heat. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
- Top with the remaining cheddar. Cover for 5 minutes so it melts. Sprinkle green onion and serve warm.
10) Nutrition
One cup serving has about 575 calories thirty four grams protein four grams sugar nine hundred eighty milligrams sodium twenty nine grams fat fifteen grams saturated fat forty five grams carbs two grams fiber and one hundred forty milligrams cholesterol. Numbers vary by brand and sauce choice. This count helps with planning not strict tracking.
Written by Kathy for Simply Cooked Recipes at https://www.simplycookedrecipes.com where we share calm food for busy days and many crockpot chicken pasta recipes for real life cooks.
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