Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Name: Buffalo Chicken Pasta (Crockpot)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h 30 min
Total time: 4 h 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 3 cups chicken broth; 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce; 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix (packet kind); 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 8 ounces cream cheese; 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar; 2 tablespoon corn starch + 2 tablespoon water; 16 ounces fettuccine noodles; Chopped cilantro for garnish optional

Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a crockpot one-pot meal that cooks chicken in buffalo sauce and broth, then finishes with cream cheese and cheddar tossed with fettuccine for a tangy, creamy comfort dish.

⚡Crock Pot

🌍Italian 🏷️Crock pot buffalo chicken pasta

Total

4h 45m

Servings

6

Difficulty

Hard

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Eatingonadime · by Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

3 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce

1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix (packet kind)

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon pepper

8 ounces cream cheese

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar

2 tablespoon corn starch + 2 tablespoon water

16 ounces fettuccine noodles

Chopped cilantro for garnishoptional

11 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Place 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 3 cups chicken broth, ½ cup buffalo wing sauce, 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and ½ teaspoon pepper into the slow cooker.
2
Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked.
3
Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Set aside.
4
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until smooth, then stir it into the slow cooker.
5
Add 8 ounces cream cheese and 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the slow cooker. Whisk until the cheeses are melted, smooth, and fully combined.
6
Break 16 ounces fettuccine noodles in half and add the uncooked noodles to the slow cooker.
7
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir gently.
8
Cover and cook on HIGH for 30–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are fully cooked.
9
Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.
10
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts of similar size so they cook evenly; thinner breasts cook faster than thicker ones.
Mix cornstarch and water into a slurry before stirring into the sauce to avoid lumps and ensure the cream cheese incorporates smoothly.
Cook pasta separately and al dente, then add to the crockpot just before serving to prevent overcooking and mushiness.
Shred chicken while it's still warm for easier handling, and break it into bite-sized pieces to distribute flavor throughout the dish.

Substitutions

Sharp cheddar → mild cheddar or Monterey Jack (milder, less tangy flavor)
Fettuccine → penne or rigatoni (different texture but works equally well)
Cream cheese → heavy cream + 2 tablespoons butter (thinner sauce, less tangy)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to restore creaminess.

Equipment

crockpot or slow cooker · large pot for pasta

Common Questions

Can you make buffalo chicken pasta without a crockpot?

Yes. Simmer chicken breasts in broth and buffalo sauce on the stovetop for 20–25 minutes until cooked through, then shred and proceed with the cream cheese and pasta as directed.