Description

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish featuring tender chicken strips seasoned with garlic, onion powder, and ranch seasoning, all combined with penne pasta and a rich sauce made from cream cheese, cheddar, heavy cream, and chicken broth. This comforting dish is quick to prepare and perfect for an indulgent weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil

Pasta

2 cups penne pasta

Sauce

4 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth

Garnish

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Heat olive oil: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, preparing the pan for cooking the chicken strips.
Season and cook chicken: Season the chicken strips evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sear them in the heated skillet until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Cook pasta: In a separate pot, cook 2 cups of penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
Prepare sauce: Reduce the heat of the skillet to medium. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 4 oz cream cheese, and 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning to the skillet. Whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add cheddar cheese: Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and incorporated into the sauce.
Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet. Add the drained penne pasta and gently toss to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
Simmer and adjust consistency: Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors. If the sauce is too thick, adjust by adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley over the dish if desired, then serve warm for best flavor and texture.

Notes

You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli if preferred.
For a lighter option, swap heavy cream for half-and-half or a lower-fat cream alternative.
Adding cooked bacon or crispy pancetta can enhance the flavor and texture.
Make sure to reserve pasta water to control sauce thickness effectively.
This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables to balance richness.

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

Keywords: Crack Chicken Penne, creamy chicken pasta, ranch seasoning chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, cheesy chicken pasta recipe