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Creamy Crack Chicken Penne

Creamy Crack Chicken Penne - featured image
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A cozy, creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, smoky bacon, and a luscious cheese sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or comforting family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 ounces penne pasta (340 grams), cooked al dente
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (170 grams)
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 ounce or 28 grams) or homemade blend
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water in case the sauce needs thinning later.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 chopped bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter to the skillet with bacon fat. Toss in the chicken pieces, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally. Remove from heat.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add 8 ounces softened cream cheese to the pan, stirring until it melts and becomes smooth. Gradually stir in ½ cup chicken broth to loosen the sauce. Mix in 1 packet ranch seasoning and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Stir well to combine.
  5. Fold in 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese and crispy bacon pieces. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth and creamy.
  6. Add cooked penne to the skillet, tossing gently to coat every noodle with sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with sliced green onions. Serve warm.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness. Melt cream cheese slowly over medium heat to prevent lumps. Crisp bacon well for best texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Prepping ingredients ahead makes cooking smoother. Leftovers reheat well in a skillet with a splash of broth or milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, crack chicken, penne pasta recipe, easy dinner, comfort food, bacon pasta, cheesy chicken pasta

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/creamy-crack-chicken-penne-recipe-easy-cozy-dinner-idea/