Description
Mouthwatering crack chicken penne delivers creamy, cheesy comfort with tender pasta and savory chicken. Simple ingredients combine for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (100 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (50 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 8 oz (225 g) penne pasta, uncooked
- 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix, 1 oz (28 g)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Sizzle Prep: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, creating a perfect cooking environment for the chicken.
- Seasoning Fusion: Coat chicken pieces with ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper, ensuring a robust flavor infusion.
- Protein Transformation: Cook chicken until golden and thoroughly done, developing a rich caramelized exterior, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Liquid Foundation: In the same skillet, combine chicken broth, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional red pepper flakes to create a flavor-packed cooking liquid.
- Pasta Immersion: Add uncooked penne directly into the liquid, bringing to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and cover, allowing pasta to absorb the aromatic broth.
- Creamy Integration: Introduce cream cheese, stirring until completely dissolved, creating a luxurious sauce that coats each pasta strand.
- Cheese Finale: Reintroduce chicken to the skillet, then generously sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, melting them into a gooey, irresistible blanket.
- Bacon Accent: Gently fold crumbled bacon throughout the dish, distributing its smoky essence evenly and reserving a few pieces for garnish.
- Herbal Flourish: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or green onions, adding a vibrant pop of color and fresh flavor.
- Serving Perfection: Present immediately, ensuring each serving captures the dish’s creamy, cheesy, and savory essence at its peak temperature.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Browning: Ensure chicken pieces are patted dry before seasoning to achieve perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steam-like cooking.
- Pasta Liquid Ratio: Use precise liquid measurements to prevent soggy or undercooked pasta; the liquid should barely cover the penne for ideal absorption and creamy texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding cheeses to prevent separation or graininess, stirring gently until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute regular dairy with lactose-free alternatives, use gluten-free pasta, replace bacon with turkey bacon or vegetarian bacon bits for various dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg