Lightened-Up Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni
This creamy rigatoni combines tender cooked chicken with Buffalo wing sauce, blue cheese, and reduced-fat cream cheese for a tangy, spicy pasta dish with classic Buffalo flavor. Garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper round out the sauce, making it a comforting choice for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook20 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Lightened-Up Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 52 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 12 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 57 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 14
- Heart Health
- 64
- Metabolic
- 23
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 49
- Performance
- 33
- General Wellness
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
- 2
Meanwhile, combine milk, blue cheese, and cream cheese in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cheeses melt, about 5 minutes.
- 3
Drain the pasta into a colander; reserve some cooking liquid and pour it into the sauce. Add Buffalo sauce, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper, and stir until smooth. Mix in the pasta and chicken, and heat until the chicken is warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Calories 357.08 kcal Moderate 18%
- Protein 30.78 g Good Source 62%
- Carbohydrate 36.6 g 13%
- Total Fat 9.08 g Moderate 12%
- Saturated Fat 4.69 g High 23%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 81.73 mg High 27%
- Sodium 519.77 mg High 23%
- Dietary Fiber 2.56 g Low Source 9%
- Total Sugars 3.3 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 69.96 mg Low Source 5%
- Iron 2.24 mg Moderate 12%
- Potassium 159.28 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin A 7.03 mcg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin C 0.0 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin D 0.34 mcg Low Source 2%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Garlic 🧄
About This Recipe
Lightened Up Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni is made with 13 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 35 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include 1% Low Fat Milk, Black Pepper, Blue Cheese, and Buffalo Wing Sauce. Each serving provides about 357.08 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Lightened-Up Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni made of?
- The main ingredients are 1% Low-Fat Milk, Black Pepper, Blue Cheese, Buffalo Wing Sauce, Chicken Breast. The full list of 13 is above.
- How long does it take to make Lightened-Up Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni?
- About 35 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 357.08 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Lightened-Up Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 13 ingredients and 3 steps.
- Is Lightened-Up Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni healthy?
- Lightened-Up Buffalo Chicken Rigatoni has an easyChef Pro health score of 42/100. Per serving, it provides 357.08 calories and 30.78 g of protein, or 62% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 519.77 mg (23% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 4.69 g (23% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten and Garlic, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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