Description
Creamy crack chicken penne delivers comfort and excitement in one satisfying dish. Italian-inspired pasta meets zesty chicken for a quick weeknight meal that promises rich flavor and delightful textures you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 (8 ounces/226 grams) package cream cheese, softened
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 packet (1 ounce/28 grams) ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Boil penne pasta in salted water until al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Prepare a creamy sauce base by whisking chicken broth, heavy cream, and cream cheese in a spacious skillet over medium heat until completely smooth and integrated.
- Enhance the sauce with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, freshly ground black pepper, and a subtle kick of red pepper flakes, stirring to distribute flavors evenly.
- Introduce tender shredded chicken into the bubbling sauce, coating each morsel with the rich, seasoned mixture.
- Gradually incorporate the penne pasta, gently folding to ensure every pasta piece is lavishly covered with the creamy sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese into the skillet, continuously stirring until the cheese melts and creates a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Scatter crispy crumbled bacon throughout the dish, mixing to distribute the smoky, crunchy elements uniformly.
- Remove from heat and delicately garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
- Transfer to serving plates immediately, presenting a steaming, decadent pasta dish bursting with robust flavors.
Notes
- Swap chicken with rotisserie or pre-cooked varieties for faster meal preparation and added convenience.
- Use gluten-free pasta and ensure ranch seasoning is gluten-free to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
- Reduce calories by substituting half-and-half for heavy cream and using low-fat cream cheese for a lighter version of the dish.
- Create vegetarian alternative by replacing chicken with roasted cauliflower or plant-based protein crumbles, maintaining the creamy texture and robust flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 637
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1076 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 157 mg