Looking for a new and exciting recipe for your Sun Oven? Well, I have you covered with my Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe!
This is a recipe originally posted on my other site, Crockpots and Flip Flops, back in 2021. Since then it has been often copied, and often shared (over 95,000 social shares). This dish is AMAZING!
Recently, I started wondering whether I could make this recipe entirely in the Sun Oven. The result was amazing. The Sun Oven version came out even better than the Crock Pot version!! Something magical about solar cooking.
This Sun Oven Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is creamy, bold, and ridiculously easy to make outside in the sunshine. Tender chicken cooks slowly in Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce until it’s juicy and full of flavor, then gets mixed with pasta, cream cheese, and parmesan for a rich, saucy dinner that feels like comfort food with a little kick.
The entire dish was made in the Sun Oven. I thought it was important to use the Sun Oven for the whole thing (instead of making the pasta indoors on the stove).
I've made this dish multiple times in my Crock Pot. This time, however, my teenage daughter said it was the best version I ever made. She ate the leftovers up (which has never happened before).
This recipe takes the same basic idea as a slow cooker chicken pasta, but gives it a backyard solar-cooking twist. Instead of plugging in the Crock Pot, the Sun Oven does the work with clean, steady heat while you get a creamy chicken pasta dish that is hearty enough for dinner and fun enough to feel a little different from the usual weeknight meal.
This is a totally original Sun Oven version of my original Crock Pot recipe, rebuilt specifically for solar cooking with bigger flavor, a creamier texture, and a little more personality
The garlic parmesan sauce brings the richness, the chicken makes it filling, and the mild spicy edge keeps every bite interesting. It’s easy, a little indulgent, and way more fun than the solar cooking recipes most people expect.
Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken breasts: The boneless chicken breasts serve as the main protein source for the dish. They provide a tender and flavorful base for the pasta. You can use chicken thighs instead if you want to.
Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Wing Sauce: The Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Wing Sauce is the star ingredient that brings the signature flavor to the dish. It adds a tangy, zesty, and slightly spicy note that enhances the overall taste profile.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds a rich and creamy element to the dish. It helps create a luscious and velvety sauce that coats the chicken and pasta.
Milk: Used to thin out the sauce and create a smoother consistency. It helps balance the richness of the cream cheese and provides a mild sweetness.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese adds a nutty and salty flavor to the dish. It enhances the creaminess and complements the garlic Parmesan sauce, making it even more delectable.
Rotini or Penne Pasta: The rotini or penne is the pasta component of the dish. These pastas add a satisfying texture and help to hold the sauce, creating a well-rounded pasta meal. Any smaller pasta would be just fine though (bowtie, rigatoni, etc).
Bell Pepper: This is optional. I added it for depth. Not only do I get a little bit of a sweet crunch, I'm sneaking vegetables into the dish : ).
Fresh Basil: Optional, but great as a garnish. It adds color and a fresh pop of flavor to balance the creamy sauce
You can make this gluten free!
- To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and double-check that your sauce and other packaged ingredients are labeled gluten-free.
Sun Oven Cooking
It was a good day to cook in the Sun Oven. Outside temp in the direct sun was about 90 degrees. Sun Oven temp maintained 325-350 degrees.
The pot temperature will usually be lower than the air temperature inside the Sun Oven, so use a meat thermometer rather than relying only on oven temperature.
NOTE: I am not using a meat thermometer here, but I use one before taking chicken out of the oven.
Tips and Tricks for this Recipe
Adjust the Heat Level: If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Wing Sauce or opt for a mild version. Try Sweet Baby Ray's Garlic Parmesan Sauce since it has a mild flavor. Conversely, if you love spice, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to amp up the heat.
Shred the Chicken: When it comes to shredding the chicken breast, I find that the two forks method works best. I do have a set of bear claws, but they're pretty large and best suited for a pork shoulder or beef brisket. The claws are pretty wide for a small chicken breast. If you're unfamiliar with the two forks method, it's pretty easy. Just use the forks to rip apart the chicken. Tear with the grain.
Making the Pasta: Pasta can sometimes be tricky in a Sun Oven. See here for more pasta info. The trick is getting it done. With the rotini, it took 30 minutes to PERFECT pasta. I suggest tasting the pasta after 30 minutes. If not done, taste every 15 minutes or so.
Different Ways to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken
One of the best things about this Sun Oven Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is how easy it is to customize. The base recipe is creamy, garlicky, a little spicy, and full of flavor, but you can change it up depending on what you have on hand or what kind of dinner you’re in the mood for.
Add Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, sliced red bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini all work well with the creamy garlic parmesan sauce. Heartier vegetables like broccoli or peppers can go into the Sun Oven with the chicken, while softer greens like spinach are best stirred in near the end so they wilt without overcooking.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes are a great addition to this recipe because they bring a chewy texture and a rich, slightly sweet tomato flavor that cuts through the creamy sauce. Chop them into small pieces and stir them in with the chicken and sauce, or add them near the end if you want their flavor to stand out a little more. Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes work especially well, but drain off the extra oil first so the sauce does not become too heavy.
Bacon Lovers: For a smoky, salty finish, crumble cooked bacon over the pasta right before serving. You can also stir the bacon into the finished dish, but adding it at the end keeps the texture better and gives every bowl a little crispy bite.
Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley, basil, or chives adds color and freshness to the finished pasta. This is especially helpful with a rich, creamy dish because the herbs brighten everything up and make the final plate feel a little more complete.
Above: A little "Backyard Yum" solar cooking going on!
Lemon Zest: For a brighter flavor, add a little lemon zest to the sauce before serving. The lemon helps balance the creamy garlic parmesan flavor without making the dish taste too sharp. You can also use a tiny splash of lemon juice, but go slowly and taste as you add it.
Creamy Tomato Twist: If you like a richer tomato flavor, stir in a spoonful or two of tomato paste or a small amount of marinara sauce. This gives the garlic parmesan sauce a creamy tomato-style finish while still keeping the dish bold, cheesy, and comforting.
Spicy Kick: For extra heat, add crushed red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a little hot sauce. The garlic parmesan sauce already has plenty of flavor, so you do not need much. Start small, taste, and build the heat from there.
How to Make Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta in the Sun Oven
1. Set Sun Oven out to preheat and align to the sun.
2. Add chicken breast to pot.
It's okay if your chicken is frozen. It will cook just fine.
3. Pour in the Buffalo Wild Wings sauce.
4. Pour the milk into the empty BWW sauce bottle. Shake well. Pour the milk/sauce mixture into the pot.
5. Add the bell pepper and cream cheese cubes.
Note that the bell pepper is completely optional.
6. Add the grated parmesan cheese.
7. Mix all the ingredients. Put a lid on the pot.
8. Put the pot in the Sun Oven.
Cooking time is going to vary depending upon the outside temp and other variables. A good indication of doneness is when you see condensation on the Sun Oven door. Check chicken temp - it should be at least 165 degrees.
9. When done, remove the chicken and sauce from the pot. Shred the chicken with two forks. Mix it back into the sauce and set aside.
10. Add dry pasta to a new (or rinsed) pot. Add just enough water to cover the pasta. Cook for 30 minutes.
Check for doneness. If pasta is not done, continue cooking. Check every 15 minutes.
My pasta took 30 minutes to perfection.
11. When pasta is done, drain it. Then mix it all together.
12. Serve and enjoy. Use the basil leaves for garnish on top. It adds a nice burst of extra flavor.
Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Sun Oven Version)
Equipment
- 1 Sun Oven or other box-style solar oven
- 1 Pot with lid
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast (1.75-2lbs)
- 12 oz Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan sauce
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 oz cream cheese cut into blocks
- 4 oz parmesan cheese grated
- 12 oz pasta
- 1 red bell pepper optional
- 4 fresh basil leaves shredded for garnish
Instructions
- Put Sun Oven out to preheat.
- Put chicken breast into pot.
- Pour the Buffalo Wild Wings sauce over chicken.
- Fill the sauce bottle with milk and shake well. Add milk and sauce to the pot.
- Add bell pepper, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese. Stir it all together. Cover pot.
- Cook for about 90 minutes, or longer until the chicken reaches at least 165°F. Solar cooking time will vary depending on sun, oven temperature, and outdoor conditions
- Put pasta into a new pot (or rinse your existing pot). Cover pasta with water - just so water barely covers the top of all the pasta.
- After 30 minutes, check doneness of your pasta. Cook time will depend upon the cooking environment and oven temp. Keep cooking until pasta is tender. Check every 15 minutes.
- While pasta cooks, shred chicken breast with two forks. Then place all chicken and sauce into a large dish.
- When pasta is done, drain it. Then add pasta to chicken and sauce. Mix well.
- Serve hot. Add basil to top.
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