Description
How to make one pan spicy garlic butter BBQ ranch chicken pasta with tender chicken and creamy sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Base
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Flavor Builders
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Seasonings & Aromatics
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Finishing Touches
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Cook Chicken: Add seasoned chicken to hot skillet and cook 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make Base: Add butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Liquids: Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, BBQ sauce, and ranch packet. Whisk everything together until smooth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Pasta: Add uncooked pasta to the simmering sauce mixture. Cover and cook 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Combine Everything: Return cooked chicken to the skillet and stir in shredded cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Finish & Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Let rest 3-4 minutes to allow sauce to thicken slightly before serving hot.
Notes
- Don’t let the garlic brown or it will taste bitter and overpower the buttery base.
- Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days maximum.
- Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream but sauce won’t be as rich and creamy.
- Serve immediately while hot for best texture and optimal cheese meltiness.
- Double the recipe easily for meal prep or feeding a larger hungry crowd.
- Adjust spice level by increasing or decreasing red pepper flakes to personal taste preference.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 35g