Description
This White Cheddar Ranch Chicken Pasta is a creamy, cheesy chicken pasta recipe made with cavatappi, white cheddar cheese, and a rich ranch-flavored sauce. Easy, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces cavatappi pasta
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons (about 1 packet / 1 ounce) dry ranch seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups (226 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded
- fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside along with the reserved pasta water.
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika and black pepper.
- Season the chicken evenly on all sides.
- To a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot and shimmering, add the chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- In the same skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously until smooth.
- Add the ranch seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in the shredded white cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir until evenly coated.
- If the sauce is too thick, slowly add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. (I added about ½ cup of pasta water.)
- Slice the chicken and place it over the pasta, or stir it into the sauce if you prefer.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 472
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: White Cheddar Ranch Chicken Pasta