Description

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish featuring tender diced chicken and crispy turkey bacon coated in a flavorful ranch and cream cheese sauce. This comforting and easy-to-make dish combines penne pasta with a luscious blend of cheddar cheese and green onions for a delicious weeknight dinner that kids and adults will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 ounces penne pasta

Chicken and Bacon

1 pound chicken breast, diced
Cooked turkey bacon, amount as desired

Sauce

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Garnish & Seasonings

Chopped green onions, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon cooking oil (for browning chicken)

Instructions

Cooking Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, slightly firm to the bite. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of pasta water for later use if needed.
Cooking Chicken: In the same pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast, spreading evenly without crowding the pieces. Brown the chicken, seasoning lightly with pepper as it cooks through.
Adding Bacon: Stir in the cooked turkey bacon pieces, allowing them to crisp up in the pan with the chicken to impart texture and smoky flavor.
Making the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Combining Ingredients: Add the drained penne pasta back into the pot. Gently toss everything together to coat all the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce.
Finishing Touches: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the combined mixture. Cover the pot and allow the cheese to melt fully, stirring once melted to integrate. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serving: Garnish the dish with chopped green onions for a fresh and colorful finish. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy Crack Chicken Penne.

Notes

Substitute penne pasta with rigatoni or ziti if preferred.
Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control saltiness.
Freeze leftover diced chicken breast for quick future meals.
If the sauce is too thick, stir in some reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika when cooking chicken.

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

Keywords: Crack Chicken, Penne Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Ranch Chicken Recipe, Cheesy Pasta, Turkey Bacon Pasta