Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni
Ingredients
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/3 cup Buffalo wing sauce
- 2 cloves garlic
finely chopped
- 8 oz cream cheese
softened and cubed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
6 oz
- 12 oz rigatoni
cooked and drained as directed on package
- 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
Directions
- 1
Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken with celery salt, salt and pepper; arrange in slow cooker. Pour Buffalo sauce over chicken; stir in garlic. Cover; cook on High heat setting about 2 hours or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). Remove chicken and, using two forks, shred into bite-size pieces.
- 2
Add cream cheese and Cheddar cheese to slow cooker; stir to combine. Cover; cook 15 minutes. Beat with whisk until cheeses have melted into sauce. Add rigatoni and shredded chicken; stir to combine. Cover; cook about 5 minutes or until hot. Garnish with blue cheese and green onions.
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 33 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Imagine everything you love about classic Buffalo chicken wings, now in a comforting pasta dish that practically makes itself. This Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni brings bold, spicy flavor to your dinner table with minimal effort, making it an instant family favorite.
The beauty of this recipe lies in the slow cooker's ability to infuse tender boneless skinless chicken thighs with a savory blend of Buffalo wing sauce, aromatic garlic, and a hint of celery salt. This low-and-slow method ensures the chicken becomes incredibly tender and flavorful, perfect for shredding and mixing into a rich, creamy sauce that clings beautifully to every piece of pasta.
You'll discover a hearty, satisfying pasta dish that truly delivers on its promise of Buffalo chicken goodness. Each bite of rigatoni is coated in a luscious sauce featuring melted cream cheese and sharp shredded Cheddar, creating a harmonious blend of creamy, cheesy, and tangy notes. The distinctive kick from the Buffalo wing sauce is balanced by the richness of the dairy, making for an incredibly flavorful and comforting experience. Garnished with fresh green onions and the signature tang of blue cheese crumbles, it’s a dish that feels both indulgent and wonderfully familiar.
This recipe offers easy customization to suit your preferences. If you prefer a different cut of chicken, chicken breasts can be used, though thighs tend to stay more moist in the slow cooker. Feel free to adjust the amount of Buffalo wing sauce to dial the spice level up or down. While rigatoni is excellent for holding the creamy sauce, you could swap in another sturdy pasta shape like penne or ziti if that’s what you have on hand.
This comforting Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni is ideal for a casual weeknight dinner or as a hearty centerpiece for a game-day gathering. Serve it warm, garnished generously with extra blue cheese crumbles and thinly sliced green onions for a vibrant finish.