Description
Creamy Crack Chicken Penne is a quick, beginner-friendly meal packed with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and rich, cheesy sauce, ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast
- Penne pasta
- Cream cheese
- Ranch seasoning
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon
- Chicken broth
- Milk
- Green onions
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the drippings in the pan.
- Season chicken breast with salt and pepper, add to the skillet, and cook until golden and cooked through, then remove and set aside.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up browned bits, and add the uncooked penne pasta. Simmer until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Lower heat, stir in cream cheese and ranch seasoning until fully melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked chicken and bacon back into the pan, pour in a splash of milk, and stir in the cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
- Top with green onions, stir, and serve hot.
Notes
- Add extra broth or milk if pasta absorbs liquid too quickly.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F.
- Prepare all ingredients before starting to streamline the cooking process.
- Substitute turkey bacon or gluten-free pasta as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 115mg