Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
Indulge in a creamy, comforting dinner with this Crack Chicken Penne recipe. Tender chicken breasts seasoned with ranch, crispy bacon, and a luscious blend of cream cheese and cheddar come together perfectly with al dente penne pasta in a flavorful skillet dish. Ready in under 40 minutes, this one-pot recipe is perfect for a hearty weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Proteins
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings and Dairy
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon slices until they are crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside on paper towels to drain. Leave the bacon fat in the skillet for added flavor.
- Brown the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with ranch seasoning and add them to the skillet. Cook over medium heat, browning on both sides until golden and nearly cooked through.
- Cook the pasta: Add the penne pasta to the skillet along with the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the broth.
- Create the creamy sauce: Stir in the cream cheese into the skillet. Continue to stir until the cream cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Finish with cheese and bacon: Crumble the cooked bacon and fold it into the skillet along with the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving to add color and a burst of fresh flavor.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt level in this dish.
- For a creamier texture, allow the cream cheese to soften slightly before adding it to the skillet.
- Feel free to substitute penne with other short pasta like rigatoni or rotini if desired.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: crack chicken penne, creamy chicken pasta, bacon pasta recipe, ranch chicken pasta, easy weeknight dinners
Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/creamy-crack-chicken-penne-recipe/
