Crack Chicken Penne
A rich, creamy, and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, tangy ranch seasoning, and sharp cheddar cheese, all tossed with penne in a luscious cream cheese sauce. Quick, satisfying, and family-approved this recipe is a weeknight winner with restaurant-quality results.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot For boiling pasta
- 1 Large Skillet For cooking chicken and sauce
- 1 Strainer For draining pasta
- 1 Cutting Board For cubing chicken
- 1 Chef's Knife For slicing chicken and onions
- 1 Wooden Spoon For stirring sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb Penne pasta Cooked al dente
- 2 Chicken breasts Cubed about 1 lb total
- 8 oz Cream cheese Softened
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese Shredded sharp preferred
- 8 Bacon slices Cooked and crumbled
- 2 tbsp Ranch seasoning mix Divided
- 2 Garlic cloves Minced
- 1/2 cup Chicken broth Homemade or low-sodium
- 1/4 cup Sour cream Or Greek yogurt for health boost
- 3 Green onions Sliced
- 1 tsp Red pepper flakes Optional for heat
- Salt and pepper To taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
- Step 2:
- Cube chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat with salt, pepper, and half the ranch seasoning until golden and cooked through (165°F). Remove and set aside.
- Step 3:
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add chicken broth and deglaze the pan. Stir in cream cheese and whisk until smooth.
- Step 4:
- Add remaining ranch seasoning, sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese. Simmer until slightly thickened, 3–4 minutes.
- Step 5:
- Add cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat, using reserved pasta water to adjust consistency. Fold in most of the bacon and green onions. Top with remaining cheese, cover for 2 minutes to melt. Garnish with remaining bacon, onions, and red pepper flakes if desired.