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Crack Chicken Penne

Crack Chicken Penne
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Crack Chicken Penne is a rich and creamy pasta dish combining tender chicken, smoky bacon, and a luscious cheese sauce tossed with al dente penne pasta. Perfect for family dinners or quick weeknight meals, this indulgent yet simple recipe delivers comforting flavors and balanced textures that please all ages.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 4 slices bacon

Pasta

  • 12 ounces penne pasta

Dairy and Cheese

  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ to ¾ cup milk or heavy cream

Seasonings

  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Fresh Herbs

  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions or parsley

Instructions

  1. Cook the Chicken and Bacon: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the diced chicken breasts until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, cook the bacon until crisp, then crumble and set aside, reserving the bacon drippings in the skillet.
  2. Prepare the Pasta: While cooking the chicken and bacon, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about ¼ cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
  3. Make the Creamy Sauce: Using the skillet with bacon drippings, melt the cream cheese over low heat. Gradually stir in shredded cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Slowly add the milk or heavy cream while stirring continuously until the sauce becomes smooth, velvety, and well combined.
  4. Combine Everything: Add the cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, and drained penne pasta into the creamy sauce. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it to the desired consistency.
  5. Finish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped green onions or parsley on top to add color, brightness, and a fresh flavor just before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh chicken breasts rather than frozen for the best texture and flavor.
  • Melt cheeses gently over low heat to keep the sauce creamy and prevent graininess.
  • Avoid overcooking pasta; slightly undercooked pasta absorbs sauce better without becoming mushy.
  • Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce while retaining creaminess.
  • Adjust the amount of ranch seasoning and spices to your taste preference.

Nutrition

Keywords: Crack Chicken Penne, creamy chicken pasta, cheesy chicken pasta, chicken bacon pasta, easy weeknight dinner, comforting pasta dish

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/crack-chicken-penne/