Description
This Creamy Chipotle Ranch Chicken Pasta combines tender bite-sized chicken breast seasoned with smoky chipotle and paprika, tossed with al dente penne pasta in a rich and creamy chipotle ranch sauce. Garnished with fresh cilantro, this dish is the perfect balance of smoky, creamy, and zesty flavors in a quick and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Season Chicken: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the bite-sized chicken pieces in olive oil, then coat evenly with the seasoning mixture.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Pour in ranch dressing and heavy cream, stirring to combine and scraping up browned bits from the skillet. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine and Finish: Return cooked chicken to the skillet, add drained pasta, grated Parmesan cheese, and a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Toss everything together until cheese melts and pasta is evenly coated. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Transfer pasta to plates or bowls, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately for a creamy, smoky delight.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- For extra heat, add more chipotle powder or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Can substitute penne pasta with other short pasta like rigatoni or fusilli.
- Use low-fat ranch dressing and cream to reduce calories if desired.
- Fresh cilantro can be replaced with parsley if preferred.
