Description

Enjoy a rich and creamy Crack Chicken Penne, where tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy cheese come together in a flavorful ranch sauce served over perfectly cooked penne pasta. This hearty one-pan meal is quick to prepare and perfect for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Meat

6 slices thick-cut bacon
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pasta & Grains

8 ounce penne pasta

Dairy

8 ounce cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Liquids & Oils

2 tablespoon olive oil
3 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Seasonings & Herbs

1 packet ranch seasoning
1/4 cup fresh parsley

Instructions

Cook the bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the thick-cut bacon slices until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside on paper towels to drain. Leave the bacon fat in the skillet for added flavor in the next steps.
Brown the chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with the ranch seasoning on all sides. Add the chicken to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat and cook over medium heat, browning each side until golden and partially cooked through.
Simmer pasta and chicken: Stir in the uncooked penne pasta and pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and cook until the pasta is al dente and the chicken is fully cooked through, approximately 10-12 minutes.
Add cream cheese: Cut the cream cheese into smaller pieces and add it to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted, creating a rich, creamy sauce that coats the pasta and chicken.
Combine bacon and cheddar: Crumble the cooked bacon and fold it into the skillet along with the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are well combined, resulting in a luscious, cheesy dish.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the fresh parsley over the top for a bright, fresh contrast. Serve the crack chicken penne hot for a comforting meal that everyone will love.

Notes

Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness.
The recipe works well with other short pasta shapes like rotini or rigatoni.
For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes when browning the chicken.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
To make it gluten free, substitute the penne pasta with gluten-free pasta.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: crack chicken, penne pasta, creamy chicken pasta, bacon pasta, ranch chicken recipe, easy dinner, comfort food