Are you looking for a quick and easy meal like Crack Chicken Penne Recipe that tastes amazing? This dish is rich, creamy, and full of cheesy goodness. It has everything you love like juicy chicken, crispy bacon, tender pasta, and a creamy ranch-flavored cheese sauce. It is all cooked in one pot, which makes cleanup easy too. Perfect for busy nights or when you want comfort food that makes everyone smile.
This recipe is easy for new ones and loved by the whole family. It does not take much time, and the ingredients are simple. Once you taste that cheesy, ranch-filled bite, you will know why people keep making it again and again. This recipe can bring a smile on your face by ready in just a few minutes.
What is Crack Chicken Penn?
Crack Chicken Penne is a perfect combination of cream and cheesy pasta dish. It is made with chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning, and penne pasta. Everything is cooked together in one pot, which makes it easy to prepare and clean up. It is called “crack chicken” because it is so tasty that people find it hard to stop eating.
Key Details
Total Servings
6 Person
Cuisine
American
Calories
620 (approx.)
Course
Dinner & Side DIsh
Preparation Time
10 mins
Cooking Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
What Makes Crack Chicken Penne Recipe Special?
Crack Chicken Penne is special because it is super creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor. It mixes chicken, bacon, pasta, and ranch seasoning all in one dish. Everything cooks in one pot, so it is fast and easy to make. People love it because its filling, comforting, and tastes amazing. This dish is perfect for family dinners or when you want something quick and yummy.
Crack Chicken Penne Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (small pieces)
8 ounces penne pasta (uncooked)
3½ cups Chicken broth
4 slices Bacon
1 ounce ranch seasoning
4 ounces cream cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Required Kitchen Tools
Large pot or deep pan
Cutting board
Sharp Cutter
Measuring cups and spoons
Wooden spoon or spatula
Cheese grater (for shredding cheese)
Serving spoon or ladle
Preparation Steps for Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
Cook the Bacon
Place the bacon in a large deep skillet or pot. Cook over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
Cook the Chicken
Add the chicken pieces to the pan with the bacon fat. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the chicken. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until lightly browned (they do not need to be fully cooked yet).
Add Pasta and Broth
Pour in the chicken broth. Add the uncooked penne pasta. Stir everything together. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
Make it Creamy and Cheesy
Add the cream cheese to the pot. Stir until it melts into the sauce. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Crumble the cooked bacon and stir it into the pasta.
Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, cheesy crack chicken penne!
Cooking Tips
Prep First: Cut all your ingredients (chicken, bacon, cheese, etc.) before you start cooking. It saves time while cooking.
Use One Pot: Make this meal in just one deep skillet or pot to reduce dishes and cleanup.
Cook Bacon First: Always cook bacon first. It adds flavor to the pan, and you can use the fat to cook the chicken.
Do not Overcook Chicken: Only cook the chicken until it is lightly browned in Step 2. It will finish cooking with the pasta.
Stir Pasta Often: While simmering the pasta, stir every few minutes. This keeps it from sticking to the bottom.
Soften Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before using. It will melt faster and mix easier.
Shred Your Own Cheese: Use a block of cheddar and shred it yourself. It melts better and tastes fresher than pre-shredded.
Adjust Thickness: If the sauce is too thick, add a little broth or milk. If it is too thin, cook uncovered for a few minutes.
Use Low-Sodium Broth: This keeps the dish from being too salty, especially with ranch and bacon already adding flavor.
Add Extras If You Like: You can mix in things like spinach, green peas, or red pepper flakes for extra taste and color.
Storage Guideline
Storing your food properly is important because it keeps it fresh, safe, and tasty for later. If you do not store it the right way, the food can go bad quickly or lose its flavor and texture. These storage tips will help you save time, reduce waste, and enjoy the leftovers without worry. Here are some simple guidelines are given below:
Cool First: Let the pasta cool down for about 20 to 30 minutes before storing. Hot food can cause steam that makes it soggy or spoil faster.
Use Airtight Containers: Store the pasta in sealed containers to keep the air out and the flavor in.
Refrigerate Quickly: Put the container in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking to keep it safe to eat.
Eat Within 3 to 4 Days: For the best taste and safety, eat the leftovers within 3 to 4 days.
Add Liquid When Reheating: When reheating, add a little milk, broth, or water to bring back the creamy texture.
Microwave or Stove: Reheat in the microwave (covered) for 1 to 2 minutes or warm slowly on the stove over low heat.
Avoid Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze this pasta. The cream and cheese may separate and change texture.
Ingredients Substitutions
Sometimes you do not have all the ingredients at home. That is where ingredient substitutions help. They let you enjoy the same great flavor even if you switch a few things. With the right swaps, you can keep the dish close to the original taste and still make it work for you. Here are some easy substitutions are given below:
You can change Bacon with turkey bacon or veggie bacon.
You can change Cheddar cheese with mozzarella cheese.
You can change Parsley with chopped green onions.
Serving Recommendations
Serving recommendations help you enjoy your meal even more by pairing it with the right side dishes or toppings. This adds balance to the meal, makes it feel complete, and brings out the best flavors. A good mix of sides can also make your plate more colorful and satisfying for everyone at the table. Here are some easy and tasty recommendations are given below:
Sometimes, adding a little extra flavor makes a big difference in how your food tastes. Flavor twists are fun ways to change up a recipe without making it too hard. They help you make the dish more exciting, fit your taste better, or try something new. While still keeping the creamy, cheesy feel of the original. Here are some tasty flavor twist are given below:
Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or chopped jalapeños if you like heat.
Add Garlic Flavor: Saute a little garlic with the chicken or add garlic powder to the broth for a richer taste.
Creamy Ranch Kick: Stir in a tablespoon of ranch dressing along with the ranch seasoning for extra tang and creaminess.
Smoky Touch: Use smoked cheddar or smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavor that pairs well with the bacon.
Veggie Boost: Mix in spinach, peas, mushrooms, or broccoli near the end for extra color and nutrition.
Herb Upgrade: Add fresh or dried herbs like thyme, basil, or Italian seasoning to bring out more flavor layers.
Tangy Twist: A spoon of sour cream or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end can add a nice tangy balance to the rich sauce.
FAQs
Yes! You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken. Just add it in when the pasta is almost done to heat it through.
Yes, you can skip the bacon if you want. It still tastes creamy and delicious, but the bacon does add extra flavor.
Absolutely! You can use rotini, shells, elbow macaroni, or any pasta you like. Just make sure to cook it until tender.
Add a little milk, water, or broth when reheating to bring back the creamy texture. Stir gently while heating.
It is best not to freeze it. The cream and cheese sauce can separate and change texture after thawing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tasty Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy, and super comforting meal that anyone can make. It is perfect for busy days, family dinners, or when you just want something delicious and easy. With easy steps and simple ingredients, it turns out tasty every time. You can even change the ingredients or flavors to match your style. Once you try it, it may become a favorite in your home.
Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Pasta Made in One Pot – The Ultimate Comfort Food
Tasty Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy, and super comforting meal that anyone can make. It is perfect for busy days, family dinners, or when you just want something delicious and easy. With easy steps and simple ingredients, it turns out tasty every time. You can even change the ingredients or flavors to match your style. Once you try it, it may become a favorite in your home.
1poundbonelessskinless chicken breast (small pieces)
8ouncespenne pastauncooked
3½cupsChicken broth
4slicesBacon
1ounceranch seasoning
4ouncescream cheese
2cupsshredded cheddar cheese
1tablespoonchopped parsleyfor garnish
Instructions
Cook the Bacon
Place the bacon in a large deep skillet or pot. Cook over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
Cook the Chicken
Add the chicken pieces to the pan with the bacon fat. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the chicken. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until lightly browned (they do not need to be fully cooked yet).
Add Pasta and Broth
Pour in the chicken broth. Add the uncooked penne pasta. Stir everything together. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
Make it Creamy and Cheesy
Add the cream cheese to the pot. Stir until it melts into the sauce. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Crumble the cooked bacon and stir it into the pasta.
Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, cheesy crack chicken penne.
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