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Creamy Chicken Ranch Pasta: The Ultimate Comfort Food Dinner

This creamy chicken ranch pasta is the ultimate comfort food that brings warmth and satisfaction to any dinner table. Rich, savory sauce coats perfectly cooked pasta with tender chicken pieces creating a dish that feels indulgent yet comes together in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 cup turkey ham, diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken and 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 turkey ham and cook until slightly crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Reduce heat to medium and pour in heavy cream, ranch dressing, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet along with reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Don't skip reserving pasta water! The starchy water helps the sauce cling beautifully to the pasta and creates the perfect creamy consistency. This dish reheats beautifully - store leftovers for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of cream.