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crack chicken penne

🍝 Crack Chicken Penne Recipe Card

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
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.