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Crack Chicken Penne Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 71 reviews

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts, crispy bacon, and a flavorful ranch-infused sauce. This comforting and hearty recipe combines penne pasta with a rich cream cheese and cheddar cheese sauce, enhanced by garlic and fresh parsley, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning (for chicken)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Pasta

  • 8 ounces penne pasta

Sauce and Toppings

  • 6 slices bacon
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning (remaining)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup milk or heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning to infuse flavor.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook the Bacon: In the same skillet, add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan for added flavor.
  4. Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to low and sauté the minced garlic in the bacon grease for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Make the Sauce: Add cream cheese and milk (or heavy cream) to the skillet, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
  6. Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce is well combined and cheesy.
  7. Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.
  8. Combine Chicken and Pasta: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and return them to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Add the cooked pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if it seems too thick.
  9. Toss Gently: Carefully toss the chicken, pasta, and sauce together to coat everything evenly without breaking up the chicken pieces.
  10. Add Bacon and Parsley: Sprinkle the crispy bacon and fresh chopped parsley over the top of the dish for added flavor and freshness.
  11. Serve: Serve the Crack Chicken Penne hot, enjoying the creamy, savory flavors in every bite.

Notes

  • Use heavy cream instead of milk for a richer, creamier sauce.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
  • For extra spice, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes while sautéing garlic.
  • Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh contrast to the rich sauce.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.

Keywords: Crack Chicken, Penne Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Ranch Chicken, Bacon Pasta, Cheesy Pasta Dish

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