Description

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich ranch-infused cheese sauce. Perfectly cooked penne pasta is tossed in a luscious blend of cream cheese, cheddar, and savory seasonings, making it a comforting meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz penne pasta

Chicken and Bacon

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
6 slices bacon, chopped
Olive oil for cooking
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Sauce

1 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup chicken broth
1 oz ranch seasoning mix (about 1 packet)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Garnish

1/2 cup green onions, chopped

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook following the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, add the chopped bacon. Cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes, then transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
Cook the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet with the bacon grease. Season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the softened cream cheese, chicken broth, and ranch seasoning mix. Mix well until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. Then fold in the crispy bacon and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until everything is heated through and well combined.
Serve and Garnish: Divide the Crack Chicken Penne into serving dishes. Top each with the remaining cheddar cheese and sprinkle with chopped green onions for a fresh, savory finish.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly or add an extra 1/4 cup of cream cheese.
Substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini if preferred.
Use smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to add a subtle smoky or spicy twist to the chicken seasoning.
Make sure to drain the pasta well to prevent excess water from thinning the sauce.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 530
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: crack chicken penne, creamy chicken pasta, bacon pasta, ranch chicken pasta, easy dinner recipes