Description
This Crock Pot Salsa Ranch Chicken Pasta is a creamy and flavorful dish that is perfect for a family meal or entertaining guests. With tender shredded chicken, tangy salsa, and a rich cream cheese sauce, this pasta is sure to become a favorite comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasoning:
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
Salsa Mixture:
- 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese (cubed and softened)
Pasta:
- 12 ounces pasta (such as rotini or penne)
Others:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Place chicken breasts in the crock pot, sprinkle with ranch seasoning mix, pour salsa and chicken broth over the top.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender. Shred the chicken with forks.
- Add Cream Cheese: Stir in cubed cream cheese until melted and combined.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, then add to crock pot.
- Combine: Stir to coat pasta with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, cover, and let sit until melted.
- Serve: Garnish with herbs if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use reduced-fat cream cheese and whole wheat pasta for a lighter version.
- For added veggies, stir in a cup of corn or spinach before serving.
- This dish reheats well and is perfect for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
