Description
This Chicken Ranch Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, cheesy, and packed with the bold, zesty flavor of ranch dressing. Tender chicken, a rich cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta come together for a delicious meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (optional, for thinning sauce)
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
-
Cook the chicken:
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Let rest, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
-
Cook the pasta:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
- Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water if needed.
-
Make the cheese sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and whisk for 1 minute to make a roux.
- Gradually pour in milk, whisking constantly until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Stir in ranch dressing, then lower heat and add shredded cheeses. Stir until melted.
-
Combine & serve:
- Add cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the cheese sauce. Stir well to coat.
- If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm!
Notes
- Make it quicker: Use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking from scratch.
- Cheese variety: Swap in gouda, pepper jack, or parmesan for a unique twist.
- Lighter option: Substitute Greek yogurt for part of the ranch dressing.
- Add veggies: Stir in steamed broccoli or spinach for extra nutrition.
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g