Description
Delectable crack chicken penne brings zesty comfort to dinner tables nationwide. Rich parmesan-ranch flavors blend seamlessly with tender chicken, creating a meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast (cubed)
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) crumbled cooked bacon
Pasta and Dairy:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 packet (28 grams) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Boil penne pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter, and add chicken cubes seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Sauté chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Pour ranch seasoning, chicken broth, and heavy cream into the skillet, reducing heat to medium-low and allowing mixture to simmer gently.
- Incorporate cream cheese and cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until sauce becomes smooth and fully integrated.
- Fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon throughout the dish, mixing gently to distribute evenly.
- Remove skillet from heat, garnish with freshly chopped green onions for added brightness and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Choose high-quality penne with ridged surfaces to help sauce cling better, creating more flavorful bites.
- Ensure chicken is cut into uniform cubes for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature before adding to prevent lumpy sauce and promote smooth melting.
- Crisp bacon separately to maintain its crunchy texture, preventing sogginess when mixed into the creamy pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg