Buffalo Chicken Crockpot Pasta {with Cottage Cheese}
A creamy, decadent buffalo chicken pasta that can be made all in one vessel - the crockpot! It's a super simple, well-balanced, and delicious dinner - with only 6 ingredients. High in protein so it's filling and satisfying - and you won't even be able to tell there is cottage cheese in it.
Servings 6 servings
Calories 550kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken breast
- 3/4 cup Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce, or any buffalo sauce
- 1 1/2 cups lower sodium cottage cheese, 2% milkfat or higher
- 2 red and/or orange bell peppers, diced
- 2-3 carrots, diced small optional
- 2-3 celery stalks, diced small
- 1 lb. Barilla Protein Plus Rotini or Cellentani Pasta about one box
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican Blend cheese sub with any kind of cheese you want
- 1 bunch of green onions, diced (optional)
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
- ½ cup water or chicken broth
Instructions
- Assemble ingredients and equipment. Dice red bell peppers (carrots and celery optional). Chop green onions and set aside.
- Place chicken breast into crockpot and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Pour cottage cheese and buffalo sauce into a blender, blend until smooth.
- Cover the chicken with the red peppers, diced celery and other veggies then pour over the sauce.
- Cook on low for 4 hours or until the chicken can be easily shredded. Use a hand mixer or two forks to shred the chicken. You can also add in the celery with the noodles if you prefer more crunch!
- After the chicken is shredded, add the box of pasta and 1/2 cup additional liqiuid, Give it a stir.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for another 30 minutes or on high for 15 minutes.
- Check the pasta at around 30 minutes - it should be al dente and may be a little bit harder than than. Add a small amount of liquid, give it a stir, and cook for about 5-10 more minutes - careful not to cook for too long or else it gets mushy.
- Once the pasta has cooked, turn the crockpot to warm. Stir in the cheese and combine- making sure all the sauce on the bottom gets mixed in. Add more liquid (water or chicken broth) if it seems too dry for your preference. Portion into a bowl and garnish with green onions.
Notes
- Greek yogurt is a great substitute for the cottage cheese.
- Bleu cheese or cheddar cheese would be delicious as well.
- If you prefer a thicker, creamier pasta, be careful adding additional liquid (like water or chicken broth).
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 6 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 562 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 9.3g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat 2.1g | 10% |
| Cholesterol 21mg | 7% |
| Sodium 1304mg | 57% |
| Total Carbohydrate 97.8g | 36% |
| Dietary Fiber 10.4g | 37% |
| Total Sugars 7.1g | |
| Protein 48.1g | |
| Vitamin D 1mcg | 5% |
| Calcium 131mg | 10% |
| Iron 5mg | 27% |
| Potassium 169mg | 4% |
Nutrition
Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 97g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 9.3g | Sodium: 1304mg | Fiber: 10.4g | Iron: 5mg