Description
Indulge in this creamy ranch chicken pasta, featuring tender chicken and vibrant vegetables enveloped in a rich, savory sauce—perfect for a comforting meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh vegetables (e.g., bell peppers or broccoli), chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Chop fresh vegetables into manageable sizes.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over medium heat. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about half a cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add diced chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes).
- Make the Sauce: Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and sprinkle ranch dressing mix over the top. Stir well and simmer gently for about five minutes.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until well-coated; if it's too thick, add reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Serve It Up: Transfer creamy ranch chicken pasta onto plates or into bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: For added nutrition, use whole-grain pasta or swap in different vegetables based on what you have on hand. Experiment with protein options like shrimp or tofu for a delightful twist.