I absolutely love sharing this Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe because it’s one of those dishes that feels indulgent but comes together with such ease. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how the rich, creamy sauce melded perfectly with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. You’ll find it’s a fantastic weeknight meal when you want something comforting but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
This recipe is special because it captures those bold flavors you crave from your favorite wing joint, but in a hearty pasta form that pleases the whole family. Whether you’re craving something cozy during cooler months or just want a flavorful dinner that impresses without fuss, this Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is worth whipping up.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Flavor: Thanks to the creamy parmesan garlic sauce, every bite bursts with rich, comforting taste without a ton of prep.
- Slow Cooker Friendly: Just set it and forget it, which means you get tender chicken and sauce ready when you are.
- Family Favorite: My whole crew goes crazy for this — it’s the perfect mix of spicy, creamy, and cheesy to suit many palettes.
- Versatile & Customizable: You can easily tweak the spice level or swap ingredients to make it your own signature dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Picking the right ingredients really elevates this Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe. I like to choose fresh chicken breasts and quality cheeses to get that perfect creamy and cheesy sauce texture every time.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: They cook evenly and shred beautifully for mixing into the sauce.
- Cream cheese: Use full-fat and bring it to room temperature so it melts smoothly without clumps.
- Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic wing sauce: The star of the dish — delivers that authentic wing joint flavor you want.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness that balances the tangy garlic parmesan sauce perfectly.
- Shredded parmesan cheese: Freshly shredded yields the best melt and flavor boost.
- Penne pasta: I love penne here because its tube shape holds the sauce so well, but feel free to use your favorite pasta.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe to keep it interesting and suit different cravings or dietary needs. You’ll find the dish adapts easily, which makes it a go-to for potlucks or quick dinners.
- Spicier Kick: I once added red pepper flakes and a touch of cayenne powder, and my family loved the added warmth without overpowering the creamy sauce.
- Dairy-Free Spin: Try swapping cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative and use coconut or almond milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter dish.
- Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or mushrooms; the sauce is so flavorful it stands on its own.
- Different Pasta: Tried it with farfalle and rigatoni, and both hold the sauce wonderfully — use whatever you have on hand!
How to Make Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Crockpot and Chicken
Start by spraying the bottom of your crockpot with non-stick spray or lining it if you prefer easy cleanup. Then, place the three boneless skinless chicken breasts evenly across the base. This step ensures even cooking and tender shreddable chicken.
Step 2: Layer the Sauces and Cheese
Pour the entire jar of Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic wing sauce and heavy cream over the chicken. Then scatter the cubed cream cheese and sprinkle the shredded parmesan evenly on top. Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to help it melt nicely and avoid clumps in your sauce.
Step 3: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover your crockpot and cook on high for about 4 hours, or on low for 8 hours if you want to set it in the morning and come home to dinner. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken is cooked through and super tender, ready to shred easily with forks.
Step 4: Shred Chicken and Prepare Pasta
Remove the chicken breasts and shred them directly in the crockpot with the sauce using two forks. While shredding, cook your penne pasta according to the package directions. Be sure to cook it al dente — just firm enough to hold up in the sauce without becoming mushy.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Once the pasta is drained, add it straight to the crockpot with the shredded chicken and sauce. Stir everything well so the penne is coated thoroughly. Then serve piping hot with some crusty garlic bread to soak up every last bit of that luscious sauce.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: I learned the hard way that cold cream cheese can curdle, so always take it out of the fridge early to soften before cooking.
- Avoid Overcooked Pasta: Cook your pasta just until al dente because it will absorb sauce and soften more in the crockpot — no one likes mushy pasta!
- Shred Chicken While Hot: Shredding the chicken while it’s still hot helps it soak up the sauce better and keeps the texture tender.
- Balance the Heat: If you want a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes gradually to avoid overpowering the creamy parmesan flavor.
How to Serve Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I always sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil on top for a pop of color and freshness that brightens the rich dish. A little extra grated parmesan never hurts either—adds an irresistible salty finish.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this pasta are garlic bread (because duh, garlic) and a simple crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette. Sometimes steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus add a nice balance too.
Creative Ways to Present
For casual dinners, I love serving this pasta straight from the crockpot into large bowls with plenty of herbs on top. For special occasions, plating it on wide white plates with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper and a drizzle of extra sauce feels a little fancy but still cozy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I always let mine cool a bit before refrigerating to keep the sauce creamy without condensation ruining the texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this pasta before by portioning it into freezer-safe containers. When thawed, the sauce is just as creamy, though the pasta texture softens a bit, so I recommend eating frozen leftovers within 1-2 months.
Reheating
To reheat, I put the pasta in a microwave-safe dish and add a splash of milk or cream before microwaving for 1-2 minutes. Stirring halfway helps keep it creamy and tasty with no drying out.
FAQs
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Can I make this Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe without a crockpot?
Absolutely! You can cook the chicken breasts in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through, then add the sauce ingredients, cream cheese, and parmesan in a separate saucepan to melt and combine. Once the sauce is ready and the chicken is shredded, toss with cooked pasta. It takes a bit more hands-on time but works perfectly.
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Where can I find Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic wing sauce?
You can purchase the sauce online through major retailers or sometimes at specialty grocery stores. If you can’t find it, mix Alfredo sauce with a bit of roasted garlic salad dressing as a substitute, which also creates a great garlic parmesan flavor.
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How spicy is this dish?
This recipe has a mild to moderate kick from the Buffalo Wild Wings sauce, balanced by creamy cheese and cream. You can adjust the heat by adding red pepper flakes, cayenne, or using less spicy sauce to match your preference.
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Can I use different types of cheese?
Yes! While shredded parmesan is essential for that signature flavor, mixing in some shredded mozzarella or Asiago can add extra melty richness. Just keep the parmesan for that authentic garlic parmesan taste.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe has become a staple in my dinner rotation because it’s just so reliable and delicious. I love making it for family because they get that amazing restaurant flavor with the comfort of pasta all in one dish. If you’re looking for a recipe that delivers big on flavor with minimal fuss, I promise this one won’t disappoint. Give it a try soon — I think you’ll be as hooked as I am!
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Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, rich, and flavorful dish where tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a luscious blend of Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic wing sauce, cream cheese, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Paired with perfectly cooked penne pasta, this hearty meal delivers a delightful combination of tangy, cheesy, and savory flavors, making it perfect for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 12 oz. jar Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic wing sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 1 16 oz box penne pasta
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the bottom of the crockpot with non-stick spray or line it with a crockpot liner for easy cleanup.
- Add Chicken and Sauces: Place the 3 boneless chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic wing sauce and heavy cream evenly over the chicken.
- Add Cheeses: Arrange the cubed cream cheese and shredded parmesan cheese on top of the sauce mixture, allowing them to melt and blend into the sauce as it cooks.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on high heat for 4 hours or on low heat for 8 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred Chicken: Once cooked, shred the chicken breasts directly in the crockpot using two forks to mix thoroughly with the creamy sauce.
- Cook Pasta: While the chicken is finishing cooking, prepare the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked pasta into the crockpot and stir to combine with the creamy parmesan garlic chicken mixture until evenly coated.
- Serve: Serve the dish hot, optionally with a side of garlic bread for an extra flavorful meal.
Notes
- Kick Up The Spice: Add a dash of red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to add heat and depth to the sauce.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature before cooking to prevent curdling in the crockpot.
- Substitute Sauce: If you can’t find Buffalo Wild Wings sauce, mix Alfredo sauce with roasted garlic salad dressing or use any good-quality garlic parmesan sauce.
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Cook pasta al dente or slightly under to avoid mushiness when mixed with the sauce.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of the recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 960 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
