Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
Introduction
Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich cheese sauce. It’s an easy weeknight meal that feels indulgent without complicated steps.
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
- Cooked turkey bacon, diced (amount as desired)
- Chopped green onions, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oil for cooking
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until slightly firm. Drain, reserving one cup of the pasta water.
- Step 2: In the same pot, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and brown it evenly without overcrowding. Lightly season with pepper while cooking.
- Step 3: Stir in the cooked turkey bacon pieces and cook until they become crisp.
- Step 4: Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Add the drained penne pasta back into the pot. Gently toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Step 6: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta. Cover the pot and allow the cheese to melt, stirring once melted.
- Step 7: Garnish with chopped green onions. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.
Tips & Variations
- Use rigatoni or ziti if you don’t have penne; their ridges hold the sauce nicely too.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or garlic powder when cooking the chicken.
- Substitute turkey bacon with regular bacon or pancetta for a richer taste.
- To make it lighter, replace half the cream cheese with Greek yogurt stirred in at the end.
Storage
Store 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 water to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid microwaving for best texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, sharp cheddar works best for melting and flavor, but you can also try Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a milder taste.
Is it okay to use fresh herbs instead of ranch seasoning?
Absolutely. A mix of dried dill, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder can substitute for ranch seasoning if preferred.
Print
Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish combining tender diced chicken, flavorful ranch seasoning, and sharp cheddar cheese. The recipe uses penne pasta to perfectly hold the luscious sauce made from cream cheese and chicken broth, enhanced with crispy turkey bacon and fresh green onions for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- Salt, to taste (for boiling water)
For the Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (vegetable or olive oil)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 ounce)
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked turkey bacon, chopped
- Chopped green onions, to taste (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, 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 and reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water for later use if needed.
- Cooking Chicken: In the same large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast in a single layer without crowding. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides, seasoning lightly with pepper as they cook through.
- Adding Bacon: Stir in the cooked turkey bacon pieces. Continue cooking for a few minutes until the bacon becomes crisp and flavorful, mixing well with the chicken.
- Making the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combining Ingredients: Add the drained penne pasta back into the pot. Gently toss and combine the pasta with the chicken and sauce until every piece is well-coated. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Finishing Touches: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the pasta mixture. Cover the pot and let the cheese melt completely. Stir once the cheese is melted to incorporate it evenly. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot immediately.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt level, as ranch seasoning and bacon can be salty.
- If cream cheese is not softened, microwave briefly to soften for smooth sauce blending.
- Substitute penne with rigatoni or ziti for a similar textured pasta that holds sauce well.
- For a richer flavor, consider using smoked cheddar or adding a teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce thickness if needed.
- Cooked turkey bacon is used here for a healthier alternative; traditional bacon can also be substituted.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Crack Chicken Penne, creamy chicken pasta, ranch pasta recipe, cheesy chicken penne, easy pasta dinner, turkey bacon pasta, quick dinner recipe
