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Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Recipe

Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 9 reviews

This Creamy Crack Chicken Penne combines tender chicken, smoky bacon, and a luscious creamy cheese sauce infused with ranch seasoning, all tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. A comforting, cheesy dish that’s quick to make and sure to be a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat & Dairy

  • 4 strips frozen bacon
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1½ cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Optional Garnishes: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Fresh parsley

Seasonings & Dry Goods

  • 1 ounce ranch seasoning mix (1 packet)
  • 8 ounces dry penne pasta (½ box)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: In a large sauté pan or cast iron skillet set over medium heat, cook the frozen bacon strips until crispy. Once done, transfer the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat and crisp further.
  2. Brown the chicken: Leave the bacon fat in the skillet and add the cut chicken pieces. Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken begins to brown on all sides.
  3. Season the chicken: Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix evenly over the chicken and stir well to coat each piece thoroughly with the seasoning.
  4. Add pasta and broth: Stir in the dry penne pasta, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid. Let it cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just past al dente and has absorbed most of the broth.
  5. Incorporate cream cheese: Remove the lid and add the cream cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has completely melted and formed a creamy sauce coating the pasta and chicken.
  6. Add cheeses and bacon: Crumble the cooked bacon and add it into the skillet along with 1 cup of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir well until the cheeses have melted and everything is combined evenly.
  7. Melt remaining cheddar cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the top of the pasta. Cover with the lid and allow it to sit for about 1 minute, letting the cheese melt fully before serving.
  8. Garnish and serve: Serve the creamy crack chicken penne garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley for a bright, flavorful finish.

Notes

  • Using frozen bacon straight from the freezer works well as it crisps up nicely in the pan without prior thawing.
  • For a smoother sauce, ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before adding.
  • This dish can be prepared in one skillet, making cleanup easier.
  • Feel free to swap penne for other pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini if preferred.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid drying out.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy crack chicken, penne pasta recipe, ranch chicken pasta, bacon chicken pasta, one pot pasta, cheesy chicken pasta

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/creamy-crack-chicken-penne-recipe/