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Savory Chicken Penne: Creamy Ranch Pasta Recipe for Easy Weeknight Dinners

This creamy chicken penne dish combines tender pasta with a rich ranch-seasoned sauce and melted cheese for a family-friendly weeknight meal. It comes together in under 30 minutes using simple ingredients like chicken, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning.
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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
  • 1 pound boneless chicken breast, cubed
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last minute of cooking.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add cream cheese to the skillet. Stir until melted and combined with the chicken. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Stir in the ranch seasoning until well incorporated.
  4. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more milk. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For best results, make sure your cream cheese is fully softened before adding it to the skillet to prevent lumps in your sauce. You can customize this recipe by adding vegetables like spinach or broccoli during the last few minutes of cooking.