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Crack Chicken Penne Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 86 reviews

Crack Chicken Penne is a deliciously creamy and flavorful skillet meal featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, penne pasta, and a rich blend of ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and Colby jack cheese. This one-pan dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting dinner that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat & Dairy

  • 6 slices smoked bacon
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound, cut into 1-inch cubes)
  • 6 ounces cream cheese
  • 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
  • 8 ounce block of Colby jack cheese, shredded (divided into 1½ cups and ½ cup)

Produce & Herbs

  • ½ cup chopped yellow onion
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (divided in half)

Pantry

  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ounce packet ranch seasoning
  • 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
  • ½ pound penne pasta

Instructions

  1. Cook the Bacon: In a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat, add the diced bacon and cook for 9-11 minutes until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving ¼ cup for garnish. Set aside the rest. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from the skillet.
  2. Brown the Chicken and Onion: Increase heat to medium-high. Add the cubed chicken breasts, chopped onion, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned and onions are tender. It’s okay if the chicken isn’t fully cooked as it will finish cooking with the pasta.
  3. Add Ranch Seasoning and Chicken Stock: Sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the chicken and onions, then pour in the chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
  4. Cook the Pasta: Add the penne pasta to the boiling skillet, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and cook for 15-20 minutes until the pasta is tender.
  5. Incorporate Cream Cheese and Soup: Remove the lid and stir in the cream cheese and cream of chicken soup until smooth and no lumps remain.
  6. Add Cheese, Bacon, and Parsley: Stir in 1½ cups of shredded Colby jack cheese, all cooked bacon except for the reserved ¼ cup, and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley until well combined.
  7. Top with Remaining Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded Colby jack cheese on top without stirring. Cover the skillet again and cook for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Remove the lid, garnish with the reserved ¼ cup of bacon and remaining 1 tablespoon of parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • Using a large skillet allows all ingredients to cook in one pan, making cleanup easier.
  • Reserve some bacon and parsley for a beautiful garnish that adds extra flavor and presentation appeal.
  • Ensure the chicken is cut into evenly sized cubes for uniform cooking.
  • The dish can be customized with different cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella if preferred.
  • For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and cheese varieties.

Keywords: Crack Chicken Penne, creamy chicken pasta, bacon pasta skillet, ranch chicken recipe, one-pan chicken dinner

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/crack-chicken-penne-recipe/