Makes 4 servings · 45 min from scratch · about 25 min with the shortcut

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta

Name: Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pasta
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: ¾ cup garlic and basil marinara sauce; ⅓ cup buffalo style hot sauce; 1 cup 1% cottage cheese; 2 tsp ranch seasoning mix; 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1⅓ lb); 1 tsp olive oil; 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp each Cajun seasoning and garlic powder, plus salt and pepper; 11 oz protein penne (or chickpea or lentil penne); Sliced green onion and extra buffalo sauce (optional)

Calories: 520
Protein: 56 g
Carbs: 58 g
Fat: 8 g

Per serving, from scratch. Shortcut numbers are below.

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Ingredients

Sauce

¾ cup garlic and basil marinara sauce
⅓ cup buffalo style hot sauce
1 cup 1% cottage cheese
2 tsp ranch seasoning mix

Chicken Or use the shortcut

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1⅓ lb)
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp each Cajun seasoning and garlic powder, plus salt and pepper

Pasta

11 oz protein penne (or chickpea or lentil penne)
Sliced green onion and extra buffalo sauce (optional)

Directions

Make the sauce. Blend the marinara, buffalo sauce, cottage cheese and ranch seasoning for 30 to 60 seconds, until smooth.
Prep the chicken. Slice each breast in half horizontally to make 4 thin cutlets. Rub them with the oil and season both sides with the spices.
Shortcut: skip
Boil the pasta. Cook the penne as the package directs. Save 1 cup of the cooking water before you drain it.
Cook the chicken. While the pasta cooks, sear the chicken in a large skillet over high heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until it reaches 165°F. Move it to a cutting board.
Shortcut: heat instead
Combine. Turn the heat to its lowest setting and pour the blended sauce into the skillet. Add the drained penne and 3 to 4 tbsp of the saved water. Toss until coated.
Pack. Slice the chicken. Divide the pasta and chicken between 4 containers and top with green onion and a drizzle of buffalo sauce.

Skip the cooking

Use 1 lb Chicken Crumbles instead

They come fully cooked and seasoned with garlic, sea salt and spice, so step 2 goes away. Thaw them in the fridge overnight. In step 4, heat them in the skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until they reach 165°F. Stir in the step 2 spices (leave out the salt), then spoon them over the pasta in step 6.

Per serving: 570 cal · 61 g protein · 59 g carbs · 12 g fat.

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Nutrition per serving is estimated from USDA data and Portside label values. Protein pasta is counted at 10 g protein per 2 oz dry.