There is something mighty comforting about a slow cooker meal that asks so little and gives back so much, and this Amish ranch dressing chicken pasta fits that bill beautifully. It leans on the practical, plainspoken kind of cooking many of us grew up around in the Midwest, where a bottle of ranch and a slow cooker could turn a few humble ingredients into a supper folks talked about all week. This version keeps things simple, with rich chicken, creamy ranch flavor, and tender pasta coming together into a hearty dish that is easy enough for a weekday and satisfying enough for a Sunday table.
Serve this with buttered green beans, sweet corn, or a crisp cucumber salad to balance the creamy pasta. A basket of warm dinner rolls or thick slices of homemade bread goes especially well for soaking up the savory sauce, and if you want a little brightness on the plate, a side of sliced tomatoes or steamed broccoli does the trick nicely.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Amish Ranch Dressing Chicken Pasta
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds chicken wings
1 cup bottled ranch dressing
8 ounces cream cheese
12 ounces pasta, such as penne or rotini
Directions
1. Place the chicken wings in the slow cooker in an even layer, then drizzle the ranch dressing all over the top and add the cream cheese in chunks.
2. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and fully cooked.
3. Remove the chicken wings carefully, pull the meat from the bones, and return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir well to make a smooth sauce.
4. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions until just tender. Drain well.
5. Add the cooked pasta to the slow cooker and toss until every piece is coated in the creamy chicken mixture. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce settles into the pasta.
Variations & Tips
Use boneless chicken: If you would rather skip pulling meat from the bones, use boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts instead. Thighs give the richest flavor and stay especially tender in the slow cooker.
Add a little color: Stir in steamed broccoli, peas, or sautéed mushrooms at the end if you want to stretch the meal and bring a little freshness to the bowl. That is a fine way to make this feel like a full one-pot supper.
Thin the sauce if needed: If the sauce seems too thick after adding the pasta, stir in a splash of hot pasta water or a little milk until it loosens to your liking. Pasta has a way of soaking up sauce quickly if it sits long.
Season to taste: Ranch dressing brands can vary in saltiness, so wait until the end before adding extra salt. A little black pepper or a sprinkle of chopped parsley on top can perk it up nicely without taking away from that old-fashioned creamy flavor.