Step 1: Season and Coat the Chicken

• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
• Toss the chicken bites in the seasoned flour until each piece is well-coated. Shake off any excess flour.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken Bites

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the flour-coated chicken bites in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
• Cook the chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
• Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken with Buffalo Sauce

• In a small bowl, mix the buffalo sauce and melted butter until well combined.
• Toss the cooked chicken bites in the buffalo sauce mixture until each piece is generously coated. You can adjust the amount of sauce based on how spicy you want the chicken bites to be.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini or penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes).
• Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta, which can be used to adjust the sauce consistency later.

Step 5: Prepare the Creamy Ranch Sauce

• In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to loosen it up slightly, making it easier to coat the pasta.

Step 6: Toss the Pasta in Ranch Sauce

• Once the pasta is drained, return it to the pot and pour in the creamy ranch sauce. Toss the pasta until it’s well-coated with the sauce and creamy.
• Stir in the chopped chives for extra freshness and flavor, if using.