Description

Enjoy a rich and creamy Crack Chicken Penne recipe that’s perfect for a comforting dinner. This dish combines tender chicken breasts seasoned with ranch, crispy bacon, and creamy cheeses with perfectly cooked penne pasta, all simmered together in a flavorful chicken broth until luscious and velvety.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta & Protein

8 ounce penne pasta
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 slices thick-cut bacon

Seasoning & Sauces

1 packet ranch seasoning
3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
8 ounce cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, fry the bacon slices until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon and set aside on a paper towel to drain, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet for extra flavor.
Brown the chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the skillet with bacon fat. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken. Cook the chicken breasts until browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side, ensuring they develop a nice golden crust.
Simmer pasta and broth: Add the penne pasta to the skillet along with the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the pasta is al dente, approximately 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to let the pasta absorb the broth’s flavor.
Add cream cheese: Lower the heat and add the cream cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely, creating a rich and creamy sauce that coats the pasta and chicken beautifully.
Combine cheese and bacon: Crumble or chop the cooked bacon and fold it into the skillet along with the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is evenly combined, producing a cheesy, savory finish.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately for a delicious, creamy dinner.

Notes

For extra flavor, cook the chicken breasts to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
You can substitute penne pasta with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini if desired.
Use full-fat cream cheese for best creaminess, but reduced-fat works if preferred.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
To make it spicier, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when browning the chicken.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: crack chicken, penne pasta, creamy chicken pasta, bacon pasta recipe, ranch seasoning chicken, one skillet dinner