Crack Chicken Penne – Creamy, Cheesy, and Irresistible

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning.

This one-pot meal is a family favorite that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Quick to make and packed with flavor, it’s comfort food at its finest!

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or pot with a lid
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

For the Crack Chicken Penne:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz)
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups heavy cream
12 oz penne pasta
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

1. Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
2. Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, and ranch seasoning mix. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
3. Cook the Pasta: Add the penne pasta to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce. Cover and cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
4. Add the Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and cooked chicken. Mix until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is creamy.
5. Add the Bacon: Fold in the crumbled bacon and stir until evenly distributed.
6. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: 650
Protein: 34g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fat: 36g
Sugar: 3g

Expert Tips

Use Freshly Grated Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts better and creates a creamier sauce than pre-shredded cheese.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep an eye on the pasta while cooking to ensure it doesn’t become mushy.

Customize the Flavor: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.

FAQs

Can I use precooked chicken?
Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken. Add it in step 4 to heat through.

Can I substitute the penne?
Absolutely, other pasta shapes like rigatoni, rotini, or fusilli work well in this recipe.

What if I don’t have ranch seasoning?
You can make your own using a mix of dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt.

Storing & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk or broth to refresh the sauce.

Substitutions & Variations

Low-Carb: Use cooked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles instead of pasta.

Vegetarian: Replace chicken with sautéed mushrooms and omit the bacon. Use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth.

Extra Veggies: Add spinach, broccoli, or peas for added nutrition.

Crack Chicken Penne – Creamy, Cheesy, and Irresistible

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning. This one-pot meal is a family favorite that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• - Large skillet or pot with a lid
• Whisk
• - Wooden spoon or spatula
• - Cutting board
• - Sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  

• **For the Crack Chicken Penne:**
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix about 1 oz
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 oz cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

 

• **Cook the Chicken:** Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
• **Prepare the Sauce:** In the same skillet, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, and ranch seasoning mix. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
• **Cook the Pasta:** Add the penne pasta to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce. Cover and cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
• **Add the Cheese:** Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and cooked chicken. Mix until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is creamy.
• **Add the Bacon:** Fold in the crumbled bacon and stir until evenly distributed.
• **Garnish and Serve:** Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.