Description
This Crack Chicken Penne recipe is a creamy, comforting pasta dish loaded with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and a cheesy ranch-flavored sauce. Easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, the dish combines tender penne pasta with a luscious cream cheese and cheddar cheese sauce, all enhanced by the savory notes of ranch seasoning and green onions for garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb penne pasta
Chicken and Protein
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
Sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (approximately 1 oz)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, and chicken broth. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Chicken and Bacon: Add the shredded cooked chicken and crumbled cooked bacon into the skillet with the sauce. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients throughout the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and gently fold it into the sauce mixture, ensuring all the pasta is coated evenly with the creamy ranch sauce.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the pasta in the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook on low heat for several minutes until the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the dish with the chopped green onions. Serve warm and enjoy this rich and flavorful crack chicken penne pasta.
Notes
- Use freshly cooked chicken for the best flavor; rotisserie chicken works well for convenience.
- Adjust the amount of ranch seasoning according to your taste preference; you can add less for a milder flavor.
- For a lighter option, substitute the cream cheese with reduced-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt (add after removing from heat to prevent curdling).
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.
Keywords: crack chicken penne, creamy chicken pasta, ranch chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, cheesy penne pasta, bacon chicken pasta