Description
This creamy Hidden Valley Ranch Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious ranch dressing and heavy cream sauce, tossed with your favorite pasta and optionally topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
Produce
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Dairy
- 1 cup ranch dressing (preferably Hidden Valley)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
Pantry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to be added later.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Add seasoning: Sprinkle the Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix over the cooked chicken and stir to evenly coat all pieces.
- Make the sauce: Lower the heat to low, then pour in the ranch dressing and heavy cream into the skillet. Stir well and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce is heated through and starts to thicken slightly.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat all the pasta in the creamy ranch sauce.
- Add cheese: If using mozzarella cheese, stir it into the skillet and cook until melted, making the sauce even creamier.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the dish and add more salt, pepper, or ranch dressing if desired for flavor balance.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if you like, and serve the pasta hot for a comforting, flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can substitute any pasta shape you prefer, such as fusilli or farfalle.
- For a lighter version, reduce the amount of heavy cream or use half-and-half.
- Adding mozzarella cheese is optional but enhances creaminess.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice pop of color and freshness but can be omitted.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid curdling the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
