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Creamy Chicken Ranch Pasta - The Ultimate Comfort Food Dinner

This creamy chicken ranch pasta is the ultimate comfort food that will become your new family favorite. With tender chicken, a rich ranch-flavored sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish delivers incredible flavor in every bite and comes together in one pot for easy cleanup.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 8 oz penne pasta (or your favorite shape)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 oz turkey ham, diced (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken cubes with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, then whisk in the ranch seasoning until well combined.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the optional turkey ham. Add the cooked pasta and stir to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted and creamy. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra creaminess, reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining and add it to the sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently - boiling can cause the cream to separate. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded cheese.