Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
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.
- 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
Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/crack-chicken-penne-recipe/
