Bold Zesty Buffalo Pasta (Printer-Friendly Version)

A creamy skillet meal with tender chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, and melted cheddar in a hearty pasta dish.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Protein and Base

01 - 450 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 225 g short pasta (penne, rotini, or preferred shape)

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

03 - 1 medium onion, chopped
04 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 60 ml green onions, chopped (for garnish)

→ Liquids and Sauces

07 - 15 ml olive oil
08 - 960 ml chicken broth
09 - 120 ml buffalo wing sauce (adjust to taste)
10 - 120 ml ranch dressing

→ Cheese

11 - 120 g shredded cheddar cheese

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add chopped onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add pasta and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir well, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid absorbed.
04 - Stir in buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until cheese is fully melted and sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine and heat through. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately.

# Handy Cooking Tips:

01 - For optimal flavour and texture, shred cheddar cheese fresh and avoid pre-shredded varieties. Maintain low heat while simmering pasta to prevent it from becoming mushy.