Best Crack Chicken Penne Recipe

Craving a weeknight dinner that’s both quick to make and bursting with flavor? Look no further! This Best Crack Chicken Penne Recipe is your answer. Imagine creamy, cheesy goodness, infused with bacon, ranch, and chicken, all tangled in perfectly cooked penne. It’s a healthy-ish indulgence that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Honestly, after a long day of chasing after the kids, this recipe has been my sanity saver – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that even I have time for.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Growing up, comfort food was everything. Weekends meant big, family meals cooked with love. While we didn't call it "Crack Chicken," my grandmother had a similar creamy chicken pasta dish that always felt like a warm hug. This Best Crack Chicken Penne Recipe is my modern take on that nostalgia – a way to bring that same feeling of comfort and connection to my own family, but with a quicker, more manageable spin for our busy lives.

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 pound cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup chopped green onions (optional, garnish)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe

1. Cook the Pasta: Cook penne pasta according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large pot or skillet, combine softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, chicken broth, and cheddar cheese. Heat over medium heat, stirring until cheese is melted and smooth.
3. Add Chicken and Bacon: Stir in cooked chicken and crumbled bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the creamy chicken mixture. Toss until well combined.
5. Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Best Crack Chicken Penne Recipe

Creamy, cheesy penne pasta with chicken, bacon, and ranch, ready in under 30 minutes.

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Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 pound cooked chicken shredded or diced
• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions optional, garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

• Large Pot
• Skillet

Method

 

1. Cook penne pasta according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
   1 pound penne pasta
2. In a large pot or skillet, combine softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, chicken broth, and cheddar cheese. Heat over medium heat, stirring until cheese is melted and smooth.
   8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup ranch dressing, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3. Stir in cooked chicken and crumbled bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
   1 pound cooked chicken, 6 slices bacon, Salt and pepper
4. Add the cooked pasta to the creamy chicken mixture. Toss until well combined.
   1 pound penne pasta
5. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
   1/4 cup chopped green onions