That first forkful of this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad hits you with tangy blue cheese, a kick of buffalo heat, and tender pasta all in one bite, exactly like your favorite wing night flavors but in a bowl you can actually share at a potluck.
This salad is loaded with protein from the chicken, so it’s hearty enough to be a full meal or a serious side dish at any cookout. It comes together in under 20 minutes, making it a lifesaver for busy weeknights or last-minute potluck invites.
Helpful Tips
- Cool the pasta fully before mixing: Rinse the cooked penne thoroughly under cold water, since warm pasta can cause the dressing to break and turn watery.
- Add the buffalo sauce last and gently: Stir in the Frank’s RedHot with just a few light folds rather than fully mixing it, since this creates those streaky, marbled pockets of heat throughout the salad instead of one uniform spicy coating.
- Adjust the heat to your crowd: Start with a smaller amount of buffalo sauce and serve extra on the side, since it’s easier to add more heat than to take it away.
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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups chicken breast cooked and cubed
- 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 4 stalks celery chopped
- 20 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
- 1/4 cup Frank’s RedHot Buffalo sauce
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente. Drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
- Place pasta in a large mixing bowl. Stir in chicken, blue cheese, celery, and tomatoes. Slowly mix in blue cheese dressing until desired amount (I use the whole 1/2 cup).
- Add the Frank’s RedHot sauce and stir just a few times to minimally incorporate the sauce.
- Serve with additional sauce on the side.
Nutrition
Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.