Description
A slow cooker meal that requires minimal prep, this dish combines zesty salsa, creamy ranch, and juicy shredded chicken into a rich, flavorful sauce. Tossed with rotini pasta, this dish is easy to make and guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken & Sauce:
- 5 frozen chicken breasts
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot, depending on preference)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup Hidden Valley® Ranch dressing
For the Pasta:
- 1 (16-ounce) box rotini pasta, cooked according to package instructions
Optional Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice
- Crushed tortilla chips for crunch
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
- Place frozen chicken breasts into the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together cream of chicken soup, salsa, and minced garlic.
- Pour this mixture over the chicken, ensuring it is fully coated.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Once cooked, remove chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
- About 30 minutes before the chicken is done, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken & Make the Sauce
- Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Whisk sour cream and ranch dressing into the salsa mixture in the slow cooker until smooth.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat it in the creamy sauce.
Step 5: Combine & Serve
- Add cooked pasta to the slow cooker, stirring until fully combined.
- Let sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb the flavors.
- Serve warm, topped with shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips if desired.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Cook the chicken and sauce ahead of time, store in the fridge for up to 3 days, and mix with fresh pasta before serving.
- Freezing Instructions: Freeze the shredded chicken and sauce separately from the pasta for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Spice Level: Adjust spice by choosing mild, medium, or hot salsa. Add red pepper flakes or jalapeños for extra heat.
- Pasta Alternative: Substitute penne, bowtie, or fusilli pasta if desired.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (slow cooker) + 10 minutes (pasta)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex / American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g