Description
This Crock Pot Salsa Ranch Chicken Pasta is an easy, creamy, and flavorful dish made with tender chicken, zesty salsa, and ranch seasoning. Simply set it and forget it in the slow cooker for a delicious meal with minimal effort!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot, depending on preference)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom soup for a variation)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite pasta shape)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Chicken:
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix evenly over the chicken. -
Add the Sauce Ingredients:
Pour the salsa, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chicken broth over the chicken. Sprinkle garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine the ingredients, ensuring the chicken is well-coated in the sauce mixture. -
Cook the Chicken:
Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Once cooked, shred the chicken in the sauce using two forks. -
Cook the Pasta:
About 20 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside. -
Combine the Pasta and Chicken Sauce:
After shredding the chicken, add the cooked pasta to the slow cooker and stir everything together. Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. -
Serve:
Serve the Crock Pot Salsa Ranch Chicken Pasta hot, topped with extra cheese and fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired.
Notes
- If you want to make this dish spicier, use a spicier salsa or add a few dashes of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
- For a healthier version, you can use whole wheat pasta and swap the cream of chicken soup for a lighter version or a homemade cream sauce.
- This dish can also be made with turkey or pork if preferred.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low, or 3-4 hours on high
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 930
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 75mg