Ranch Chicken Penne

As has been previously mentioned, CM loves ranch. And I've tried a recipe for Crock-Pot ranch pork chops, but I just didn't like cooking pork chops in the Crock-Pot. I decided to do chicken this time. I must say that this recipe was a success because he didn't even stop to give me his opinion like he usually does. He just kind of stuffed his face.

There's not much I can say about this meal other than it's easy, creamy, and a tad on the spicy side.

Here's what you need:

• 3-4 chicken breasts
• 8 oz of cream cheese
• 1 can of cream of chicken soup
• 1 can of cheddar cheese soup
• 1 packet of ranch dressing mix
• 1/8 tsp of oregano
• 1/8 tsp of ground cayenne red pepper
• 3/4 C of mozzarella
• penne pasta

Here's what you do:

• Place your chicken in the Crock-Pot
• In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to blend the cream cheese, both soups, the ranch dressing mix, oregano, cayenne red pepper, and mozzarella until it's creamy
• Dump the mixture over the chicken and make sure it's evenly spread out.
• Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or high for 2-3 hours.
• When it's nearly done, cook your penne.
• Put your chicken on top and cover with your sauce.

It was very filling and exactly what CM needed after a hard day of doing yard work! If you don't want any spice, simply take out the cayenne red pepper. If I could have had my way, I would have thrown some broccoli in there, but CM hates it. Green peas would also have made a really good addition if you're looking to add some veggies to it.

Let me know what you think and be sure to share this with your family and friends!

Spicy Chipotle Ranch Dressing

If there is any food that CM absolutely loves and is addicted to, it would be ranch dressing. He's as obsessed with it as I am with my Crock-Pot. He hates broccoli, but I'm sure if it were covered in ranch, he would eat it. I'm always joking about how he takes any nutritional value out of his salads because of the amount of ranch he puts on it. I've literally seen him licking leftover ranch off of plates and bowls. It is that serious.

Another thing he loves is spicy food. There isn't much that's too spicy for him to eat. He's always a glutton for punishment, and on several occasions has tried the spiciest hot sauce they sell in hot sauce shops. You know, the ones that actually require you to be 18 or older to eat it. 

From our trip to Gatlinburg.

So, for this lover of all things ranch and spicy, why not make some spicy ranch dressing?! I decided to surprise him with this, and he was very happy about it. So if you or someone you know loves ranch and loves spiciness, then this is the recipe for you!

Here's what you need:

• 16 oz of sour cream 
• 1 1/2 packages of ranch dressing mix
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (there are cans of these, usually in the taco section)
• 1 Tsp of adobo sauce from the can
• 1/4 C of buttermilk

Here's what you do:

• In a blender, puree the sour cream, ranch dressing mix, pepper and adobo sauce until everything is blended evenly
• Add in the buttermilk and blend for a few minutes.
• Put into a container and refrigerate for about 2 hours before serving.

 
If you would like your dressing to be thinner, add more buttermilk. And if you're a bit sensitive to spiciness, use half of the chipotle peppers and adobo sauce.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think about it. Be sure to share it with your family and friends!