Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
Introduction
Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich ranch-infused sauce. It’s an easy, comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners with family.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooked turkey bacon, as desired
Instructions
- Step 1: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add the penne pasta and cook until slightly firm. Drain the pasta and reserve one cup of the pasta water.
- Step 2: In the same pot, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season lightly with pepper, and cook until browned, ensuring the pieces are not crowded.
- Step 3: Stir in the cooked turkey bacon, allowing the pieces to crisp up in the pot.
- Step 4: Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, and chicken broth. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Add the drained penne back into the pot, gently combining everything until the pasta is coated evenly with the sauce.
- Step 6: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the dish. Cover the pot until the cheese melts, then stir once melted to combine fully.
- Step 7: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve the dish hot.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute turkey bacon with regular bacon or pancetta for a different flavor.
- Add a splash of pasta water to the sauce if it becomes too thick while combining.
- For extra veggies, toss in some steamed broccoli or sautéed mushrooms before adding the cheese.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for better melting and richer flavor.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other pasta shapes with this recipe?
Yes, rigatoni or ziti work well as substitutes since they also hold the sauce nicely in their ridges and tubes.
Is cream cheese necessary for the sauce?
Yes, cream cheese creates the creamy, clingy base for the sauce without needing heavy cream, making the dish rich but easy to prepare.
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Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish featuring tender diced chicken, crispy turkey bacon, and a zesty ranch-flavored sauce. This comforting meal is quick to prepare, combining penne pasta with a rich sauce made from cream cheese, chicken broth, and cheddar. Garnished with fresh green onions, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels indulgent without being complicated.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta
For the Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 4 ounces cooked turkey bacon, chopped
For Garnish
- Chopped green onions, to taste
Instructions
- Cooking Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add the penne pasta and cook until slightly firm to the bite (al dente). Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of the pasta cooking water for possible thinning of the sauce later.
- Cooking Chicken: In the same pot, heat one tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast, spreading it out to avoid crowding, and cook until browned on all sides. Lightly season with pepper during cooking.
- Adding Bacon: Stir in the cooked turkey bacon pieces, cooking briefly to allow them to become crispy and warm through.
- Making the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning packet, and chicken broth. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring the cream cheese is fully melted.
- Combining Ingredients: Add the drained penne pasta back into the pot with the sauce and chicken mixture. Gently stir to combine, coating the pasta evenly with the sauce. Use reserved pasta water if needed to adjust the consistency.
- Finishing Touches: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the pot and let it sit until the cheese melts completely, stirring once melted to incorporate the cheese throughout the dish. Finally, garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the saltiness of the dish.
- For a richer flavor, substitute sharp cheddar cheese instead of mild cheddar.
- If turkey bacon is unavailable, substitute with cooked regular bacon or omit for a lighter dish.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free penne pasta and ensure ranch seasoning is gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: crack chicken penne, creamy chicken pasta, ranch chicken pasta, cheesy chicken pasta, quick dinner recipes, turkey bacon pasta
