Description
This Smoked Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and smoky dish that’s perfect for a crowd! Tender chicken thighs are marinated in a spicy garlic sauce, smoked to perfection, and then tossed with pasta, Alfredo sauce, and melted cheese. It’s a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 cup Buffalo Wild Wings Spicy Garlic Sauce (or your favorite buffalo sauce)
- 16 oz cellentani pasta (or your favorite shape)
- 1 (15 oz) jar Alfredo sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Dried parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken thighs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and Spicy Garlic Sauce. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Smoke Chicken: Preheat smoker to 250°F (120°C). Smoke chicken thighs for 1 ½ hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from smoker and cut into cubes.
- Cook Pasta: While chicken smokes, cook pasta according to package directions.
- Assemble and Smoke Pasta: In a smoker-safe dish, combine cooked pasta, Alfredo sauce, cream cheese, ranch dressing, shredded mozzarella cheese, and cubed chicken. Stir well. Top with additional mozzarella cheese. Smoke for 20-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with dried parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and extra buffalo sauce, if desired.
Notes
- If you don’t have a smoker, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
- You can adjust the amount of Spicy Garlic Sauce or buffalo sauce to your preferred spice level.
- For a richer flavor, you can use a combination of different cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or provolone.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg