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

Scale

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