Introduction

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish loaded with tender chicken and bold ranch flavors. It’s comforting, easy to make, and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

Crack Chicken Penne Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
2 cups penne pasta
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Season the chicken strips with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sear the chicken in the hot skillet until golden brown and cooked through, then set aside.
Step 3: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Step 4: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning to the skillet. Whisk gently until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth.
Step 5: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted into the sauce.
Step 6: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the sauce. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
Step 7: If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 8: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if using, and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add cooked crispy bacon pieces when tossing the pasta with the sauce.
Swap penne for rigatoni or fusilli for a different pasta texture.
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
Fresh garlic minced and sautéed with the chicken adds a nice aromatic boost.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to thaw the chicken completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and proper texture.

Is this dish suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. It reheats well and can be portioned into containers for easy lunches or dinners during the week.

Crack Chicken Penne Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 148 reviews

This creamy Crack Chicken Penne recipe features tender strips of seasoned chicken and al dente penne pasta tossed in a rich, cheesy ranch-flavored sauce. Made with cream cheese, cheddar, and a blend of savory spices, this comforting one-pan dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil

Pasta

2 cups penne pasta

Sauce

4 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth

Garnish

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Heat the oil: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
Cook the chicken: Season the chicken strips with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sear in the hot skillet until golden brown and cooked through, then set aside on a plate.
Cook the pasta: Boil the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Make the sauce: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning mix. Whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely into the sauce.
Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss gently to fully coat everything in the creamy sauce. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to marry flavors.
Adjust consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water gradually to reach your desired consistency.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish as a garnish and serve warm for a comforting meal.

Notes

You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rotini or rigatoni.
For a lighter version, swap heavy cream for half-and-half, though the sauce may be less rich.
Adding cooked bacon pieces complements the crack chicken flavor beautifully.
Use fresh garlic instead of powder for a more aromatic profile.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stove or microwave.

Keywords: Crack Chicken, Penne Pasta, Creamy Pasta, Chicken Dinner, Easy Weeknight Recipe, Ranch Seasoning, One-Pan Meal