Description
Creamy, cheesy crack chicken penne brings southern comfort directly to dinner tables with irresistible flavor. Hearty pasta loaded with ranch seasoning, tender chicken, and melted cheese promises a quick meal sure to satisfy hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into small bite size pieces
- 4 slices thick cut bacon
Dairy and Cheese:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese
- 2 cups (226 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 ounce (28 grams) ranch seasoning
- 3.5 cups (828 milliliters) chicken broth, low sodium or no salt added
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until golden and crispy, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.
- Chop cooled bacon into small, bite-sized pieces for later garnishing.
- Sear chicken pieces in the reserved bacon fat over medium-high heat, cooking for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned and stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle ranch seasoning over chicken, thoroughly coating each piece to distribute flavor evenly.
- Add uncooked penne and chicken broth to the pot, stirring to combine. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Monitor liquid levels during cooking, adding extra chicken broth if needed to prevent pasta from sticking or becoming dry.
- Once pasta reaches desired tenderness, incorporate cream cheese into the pot, stirring until completely melted and sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Fold in crispy bacon bits and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until cheese melts and integrates with the sauce.
- Distribute remaining cheddar cheese across the top, cover, and let cheese melt for 30 seconds. Optional: broil for 3-5 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, serve hot, and savor the rich, comforting flavors of this decadent pasta dish.
Notes
- Customize the bacon by using turkey bacon or vegetarian bacon bits for a lighter or meat-free version that still delivers incredible flavor.
- Control the sodium levels by using low-sodium chicken broth and reducing the amount of ranch seasoning mix for a healthier adaptation.
- Ensure pasta doesn’t stick by stirring frequently and maintaining a gentle simmer, which helps achieve perfectly cooked, creamy texture without burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg