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Delicious Crack Chicken Penne with creamy sauce, bacon, and chicken in a skillet.

Crack Chicken Penne

A creamy, comforting crack chicken pasta that's easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners. This delicious dish combines chicken, bacon, and a cheese sauce to create a crowd-pleaser.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 8 oz Penne pasta Regular or whole wheat
  • 1 lb Chicken (breasts or thighs, cut into bite size pieces) Cut into bite-size pieces for even cooking
Flavor Makers
  • 4 oz Cream cheese For a thick and silky sauce
  • 1 cup Shredded cheddar Or a cheddar blend
  • 1 packet Ranch seasoning Use packet or homemade
  • 2 cloves Garlic Fresh or from a jar
  • 1 cup Chicken broth Helps to thin the sauce
  • 1-2 tbsp Oil For cooking the chicken
  • 1 cup Bacon Cooked and crumbled, or use pre-cooked to save time
Optional Toppings
  • 2 tbsp Green onions For topping
  • 1-2 tbsp Milk or pasta water To thin the sauce to desired consistency

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Boil a big pot of salted water and cook the penne until it is just tender. Before draining, scoop out about a cup of pasta water and set it aside.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add a little oil, and cook the chicken pieces with a pinch of salt and pepper until lightly golden.
Building the Flavor
  1. Add garlic and ranch seasoning to the skillet. Stir for about 30 seconds.
  2. Lower the heat and stir in the cream cheese with a splash of broth, mixing until it melts into a smooth sauce.
Finishing Up
  1. Add shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon into the sauce and stir until the cheese melts.
  2. Combine the cooked penne with the sauce in the skillet and toss until everything is coated, adding reserved pasta water or broth as necessary.

Notes

Don’t overcook the pasta, as it continues to cook when mixed with the sauce. Use low heat to melt cheese for a better texture. Taste for seasoning balance to avoid over-salting.