Description
How to make creamy ranch honey garlic chicken penne with tender chicken and aromatic garlic that creates the perfect weeknight comfort dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Creamy Ranch Sauce
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp butter
Finishing Touches
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Extra Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining completely.
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper. This helps create a golden crust and builds flavor from the start.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Build Sauce: In same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then whisk in ranch packet, cream, and chicken broth until smooth.
- Add Sweetness: Stir in honey and simmer 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning – it should be creamy, tangy, and lightly sweet.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken to skillet, add cooked pasta and Parmesan. Toss gently, adding pasta water if needed to achieve perfect creamy consistency.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley and green onions. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes on the side.
Notes
- Don’t add honey too early in cooking process or it will burn and taste bitter.
- Reserve pasta water before draining – it helps achieve perfect sauce consistency.
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning for best golden crust.
- Sauce can be made 2 days ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.
- Add fresh herbs at the very end to maintain bright color and flavor.
- Leftover pasta reheats best with a splash of broth or cream added.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 28g