🍝 Easy Made Crack Chicken Penne – Creamy, Cheesy

“Crack chicken” is famous for a reason — creamy ranch flavor, smoky bacon, tender chicken, and plenty of gooey cheese. Now imagine all that comfort mixed into hearty penne pasta. This Crack Chicken Penne is rich, indulgent, and the kind of dish everyone at the table will be asking for seconds of.

Perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks, it’s easy to make but tastes like something from a restaurant.

💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Creamy ranch and cheddar sauce coats every bite of pasta
• Juicy chicken and smoky bacon add heartiness and flavor
• One of those meals the whole family devours
• Great for meal prep and reheats beautifully

🥄 Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup cream cheese, softened
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

🧑‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook Pasta – Boil penne according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook Chicken – In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and no longer pink. Remove and set aside.
3. Make Sauce – In the same skillet, add garlic and ranch seasoning. Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream, simmering until slightly thickened. Add cream cheese and cheddar, stirring until melted and smooth.
4. Assemble – Return chicken to the skillet, stir in cooked pasta, and fold in crumbled bacon. Toss until everything is coated in creamy sauce.
5. Serve – Garnish with green onions and extra cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the addictive flavors!

💡 Tips for the Best Crack Chicken Penne

• Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
• For extra richness, sprinkle mozzarella on top and broil until bubbly.
• Swap penne for rigatoni, shells, or your favorite pasta shape.
• Add spinach or broccoli for a veggie boost.

🍝 Crack Chicken Penne Recipe Card

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 610

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix about 1 oz
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 6 slices cooked bacon crumbled
• 1 8 oz block cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or half & half
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Method

 

1. Cook Pasta: Boil penne pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, season with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Make Sauce:
4. In the same skillet, add cream cheese, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir until smooth and creamy.
5. Add cheddar and mozzarella, stirring until melted into a rich sauce.
6. Combine: Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon into the sauce. Toss until everything is well coated.
7. Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

For extra creaminess, add a splash of pasta water when mixing everything together.

Use rotisserie chicken for a faster version.

Add a handful of spinach or broccoli to sneak in veggies.

This dish reheats well — just add a splash of milk when warming it up.

❓ FAQ

🍝 Creamy Pasta Bliss

This Crack Chicken Penne is rich, creamy, cheesy, and loaded with comforting flavors. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to make on repeat — and once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s called crack chicken.