Description
Spicy and creamy one-pot buffalo ranch chicken penne delivers a flavor explosion that combines zesty buffalo sauce with cool ranch dressing. Hearty pasta and tender chicken create a quick weeknight meal that satisfies comfort food cravings in just one skillet.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
Pasta and Seasoning:
- 12 ounces (340 g) penne pasta
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 (10 ounces/283 g) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup (57 g) butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Topping:
- 1/2 cup (56 g) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Sear chicken pieces in a spacious pot, allowing them to develop a golden-brown exterior while ensuring complete internal cooking. Enhance flavor with a light seasoning of salt and black pepper.
- Introduce penne pasta directly into the pot alongside diced tomatoes with green chilies, including their natural juices. Pour in chicken broth, creating a vibrant liquid base.
- Infuse the mixture with tangy hot sauce and zesty ranch seasoning, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly across all ingredients.
- Elevate heat to trigger a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot, allowing ingredients to meld and pasta to tenderize, stirring intermittently to prevent adherence to pot surfaces.
- Monitor pasta’s texture, aiming for a perfectly al dente consistency. This typically requires 15-18 minutes of patient simmering.
- Once pasta reaches ideal tenderness, remove from heat source and allow the dish to rest briefly, enabling sauce to thicken and flavors to harmonize.
- Optional final touch: Sprinkle a generous layer of sharp cheddar cheese across the surface, creating a melty, indulgent topping that complements the spicy, creamy profile of the dish.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting hot sauce quantity to suit different spice tolerances.
- Swap chicken for tofu or plant-based protein to create a vegetarian version with identical flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free pasta and ensure ranch seasoning is gluten-free for celiac-friendly adaptation.
- For creamier texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese during final minutes of cooking to enhance richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg