Description

This Irresistibly Creamy Hidden Valley Ranch Chicken Pasta is a delightful and easy-to-make dish combining tender seared chicken, rich cream cheese, and the tangy flavor of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it offers a luscious creamy sauce coating perfectly cooked rotini pasta, garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 oz Rotini Pasta (or penne or fusilli)

Chicken and Seasoning

2 pieces Chicken Breasts (or turkey or tofu as substitutes)
1 tsp Garlic Powder (or fresh garlic for stronger flavor)
1 tsp Black Pepper (adjust according to taste)
1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning (for flavor)

Sauce

2 tbsp Butter (or olive oil for a lighter taste)
8 oz Cream Cheese (Greek yogurt can lighten it up)
1 cup Milk (low-fat or non-dairy milk works too)

Garnish

2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (or basil or chives)

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Sear Chicken: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Season sliced chicken breasts with garlic powder and black pepper. Place them in the skillet and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown and are fully cooked through.
Make Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add cream cheese to the skillet and stir continuously until it melts smoothly into the butter and chicken drippings. Gradually pour in milk while stirring to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
Add Seasoning: Stir in the Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning packet, mixing well. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. Allow the sauce to cook on low heat for another minute to blend flavors.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta back into the skillet with the sauce and chicken, tossing gently to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy ranch sauce.
Serve: Plate the pasta in serving bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a fresh, herbaceous finish. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

You can substitute chicken with turkey or tofu to suit your dietary preferences.
Using olive oil instead of butter can reduce saturated fat and lighten the dish.
For a stronger garlic flavor, use minced fresh garlic instead of garlic powder when searing chicken.
Greek yogurt can replace cream cheese for a lower-fat creamy alternative.
Adjust the seasoning to your taste, especially salt and pepper, as Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning can be salty.
Ensure pasta is drained well before combining with sauce to avoid watery consistency.