Description
Indulge in a creamy, cheesy, and bacon-packed pasta dish that’s guaranteed to satisfy every craving. With rich flavors and simple ingredients, Crack Chicken Penne is your new go-to comfort food!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 10 oz penne pasta
- 8 slices bacon (chopped)
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized cubes)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- ½ yellow onion (minced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet or pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan for flavor.
3. Cook the Chicken:
- Season the chicken with salt and black pepper. Add to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease and cook over medium-high heat until browned on all sides (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add minced onion and sauté until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce:
- Pour in the chicken broth, sour cream, and cream cheese, stirring until the cream cheese melts completely.
- Stir in ranch dressing mix, salt, pepper, and dried parsley. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
5. Combine Everything:
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, mixing to combine.
- Add the crispy bacon and stir everything together. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese to avoid a grainy sauce caused by anti-caking agents in pre-shredded cheese.
- Don’t overcook the pasta—keep it al dente so it holds up well in the sauce.
- Let the sauce simmer to naturally thicken and develop deeper flavors.
- For extra spice, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- To save time, use rotisserie chicken for the chicken portion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American