Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
Introduction
Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, cheesy sauce, and ranch seasoning. It’s a comforting meal that comes together quickly and is perfect for busy weeknights.
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)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Season chicken strips with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sear in the skillet until golden and cooked through, then set aside.
- Step 3: Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning. Whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth.
- Step 5: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted into the sauce.
- Step 6: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce. Toss gently to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 7: If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by stirring in reserved pasta water a little at a time.
- Step 8: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add cooked crispy bacon or sautéed mushrooms.
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time; just skip the searing step.
- Swap penne for other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli for variety.
- Make it spicy by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Fresh parsley brightens the dish, but you can also garnish with chives or green onions.
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 milk or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, any short pasta like rigatoni, fusilli, or rotini works well. Just adjust cooking time as needed to reach al dente.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
You can substitute cream cheese and cheddar with dairy-free alternatives and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Keep in mind the flavors will differ slightly.
PrintCrack Chicken Penne Recipe
Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish featuring tender chicken strips cooked in a rich ranch-flavored sauce made with cream cheese, cheddar, and a hint of garlic and onion powder. The penne pasta is coated in this luscious sauce, making it a comforting one-pan meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and 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 pan: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for searing the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Season chicken strips with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sear them in the hot skillet until golden on all sides and thoroughly cooked, then remove and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Boil penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the sauce: Lower the skillet heat to medium and add chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning mix. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Combine ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained penne pasta. Toss everything gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Adjust consistency: If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for color and freshness, then serve the Crack Chicken Penne warm.
Notes
- You can substitute penne with other short pasta like rigatoni or ziti.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and cheddar and substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Adding cooked bacon or green onions makes a delicious topping for extra flavor and texture.
Keywords: Crack Chicken Penne, creamy chicken pasta, ranch chicken pasta, cheesy penne recipe, one-pan pasta dinner
