Description

Savor the delightful flavors of White Cheddar Ranch Chicken Pasta! This dish features tender chicken, creamy white cheddar sauce, and cavatappi pasta, making it a quick and comforting meal that’s perfect for busy days or family dinners.

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)

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Instructions

Cook the cavatappi pasta until al dente according to the package instructions, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Drain the pasta and set it aside with the reserved pasta water.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and cook the chicken breasts seasoned with paprika and black pepper until cooked through.
Remove the chicken, chop it into pieces, and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt the butter and add minced garlic, cooking until fragrant.
Whisk in the flour, stirring continuously to create a roux, then slowly add the whole milk while whisking until smooth.
Stir in the dry ranch seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes, then bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing it to thicken.
Add the white cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and creamy.
Mix in the cooked pasta and chicken, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.

Notes

Feel free to swap cavatappi for any pasta shape you prefer.
For a lighter option, use chicken breast tenderloins instead of whole breasts.
Add veggies like spinach or bell peppers to incorporate more nutrition.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 626
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 763mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 112mg