Smoky Cheddar Chicken Pasta (Printable Format)

Creamy one-pot pasta with chicken, smoked sausage, and cheddar cheese. The perfect comfort food ready in just 30 minutes.

# What You'll Gather:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 lb chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
03 - 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
04 - 4 cups chicken broth
05 - 1 cup heavy cream
06 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
07 - 1 packet ranch seasoning mix

→ Aromatics and Seasoning

08 - 1 small onion, diced
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - Salt and pepper to taste
12 - Fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional but pretty)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and sliced smoked sausage, cooking for about 5-7 minutes while stirring occasionally. You want the chicken nicely browned and the sausage heated through and slightly caramelized.
02 - Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until everything smells amazing and the onions are soft and translucent. This builds the flavor base for your pasta.
03 - Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then stir in the ranch seasoning mix and uncooked pasta. Give everything a good stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a rolling boil before reducing the heat to low.
04 - Cover the pot and let everything simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta should be tender and the sauce should be thick and creamy when it's ready.
05 - Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it's completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Dish this creamy goodness into bowls and sprinkle with chopped parsley if you like. Serve hot and enjoy every bite of this smoky, cheesy, comfort food perfection!

# Important Tips:

01 - This is a perfect one-pot meal that combines protein, pasta, and vegetables all in one delicious dish.
02 - For extra heat, use spicy smoked sausage or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes while cooking.
03 - The ranch seasoning adds a wonderful tangy flavor that complements the smoky sausage perfectly.
04 - Make sure to stir occasionally while simmering to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
05 - Leftovers reheat beautifully - just add a splash of broth or cream if it seems too thick when reheating.

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