Recipe Card

Crack Chicken Penne

This Crack Chicken Penne is a flavorful and creamy pasta dish that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy cheese sauce seasoned with ranch seasoning. It's a comforting and indulgent meal that's sure to become a family favorite.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Serving Size servings

Equipment

Large Dutch Oven
Cooking Spoon
Knife

Ingredients

4 slices thick-cut bacon
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small bite-size pieces
1 ounce ranch seasoning (1 packet or 2 tablespoons)
8 ounces penne pasta (uncooked, or pasta of your choice)
3½ cups low-sodium or no salt added chicken broth
4 ounces cream cheese (such as Philadelphia)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and drain some of the bacon fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon of fat. Chop the bacon into bits.
In the same pot, add the chicken and cook for about 3 minutes over medium-high heat until it starts to brown. Add the ranch seasoning mix to the chicken and stir, ensuring each chicken piece is coated in the seasoning mix.
Add the penne and chicken broth to the pot, then stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat, cover, and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked al dente or to your preference. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. There should still be some liquid in the pot when the pasta is done cooking. Add more broth if needed, although 3½ cups should be perfect.
Add the cream cheese to the pot and stir until the sauce is creamy and most of the cream cheese has melted. Add the bacon back to the pot, then add about 1½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until well combined, and the cheese is melted nicely.
Sprinkle the remaining half cup of cheddar cheese over the top and cover the pot with the lid. Cook for about 30 seconds, then turn off the heat and remove the lid. The cheese should have melted. Alternatively, you can place the Dutch oven in the oven under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starts to brown on top.
Garnish with parsley and serve. Enjoy your Crack Chicken Penne!

Notes

This dish is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. Feel free to customize it by adding your favorite vegetables or adjusting the seasoning to suit your taste preferences.