🥓🧀 CRACK CHICKEN PENNE
Creamy, cheesy, ranch-seasoned chicken and penne loaded with smoky bacon. This easy one-pot-style pasta is rich, comforting, and packed with the irresistible flavors of ranch, cream cheese, tender chicken, and crispy bacon.
⏱ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
🍗 Chicken & Pasta
- 6 slices smoked bacon, chopped
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 oz (28 g) Ranch seasoning mix
- 4 cups chicken stock
- ½ lb (225 g) penne pasta
- 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
Optional but Delicious
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup milk or heavy cream, as needed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Extra crispy bacon, for topping
Instructions
1. Cook the Bacon
Place the chopped bacon in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden.
Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
Leave approximately 1–2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
2. Cook the Chicken
Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the bacon fat.
Season with the salt and black pepper.
Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and nearly cooked through.
Transfer the chicken to a plate.
It will finish cooking later with the pasta.
3. Sauté the Onion
Add the diced onion to the same pan.
Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
If using garlic, add the minced garlic during the final 30 seconds.
🍝 Cook the Pasta
4. Add the Stock & Ranch Seasoning
Pour the 4 cups chicken stock into the skillet.
Add the Ranch seasoning and stir well, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
5. Add the Penne
Stir in the uncooked penne.
Return the chicken to the pan.
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Cover partially and simmer for approximately 12–15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking.
Cook until the penne is tender but still has a little bite.
If the pan becomes too dry:
Add a splash of water or chicken stock.
🧀 Make It Creamy
6. Add the Cream Cheese
Reduce the heat to low.
Cut the softened cream cheese into smaller pieces and add it to the pasta.
Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts into the chicken-stock mixture and creates a smooth, creamy sauce.
7. Add Cheddar
For an extra-cheesy Crack Chicken Penne, stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
Continue stirring until completely melted.
If the sauce is thicker than you’d like, add a splash of milk or heavy cream until it reaches your preferred consistency.
🥓 Finish the Dish
8. Add the Bacon
Stir most of the crispy bacon into the pasta.
Reserve a little for sprinkling over the top.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
🍽️ Serve
Spoon the creamy penne into bowls.
Top with:
- Crispy bacon
- Sliced green onions
- Fresh parsley
- Extra shredded cheddar
Serve immediately while the sauce is hot and creamy.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Soften the Cream Cheese
Room-temperature cream cheese melts much more smoothly and helps prevent lumps.
Don’t Overcook the Pasta
Penne continues absorbing sauce as it rests, so stop cooking when it’s just tender.
Keep Some Bacon for the Top
Stirring bacon into the pasta gives you smoky flavor throughout, while the reserved bacon stays wonderfully crisp.
Control the Sauce
The pasta will thicken as it sits. If it becomes too thick, stir in a splash of warm milk or chicken stock before serving.
Use Chicken Thighs
Boneless chicken thighs work beautifully if you prefer darker, juicier meat.
🌶️ Delicious Variations
Spicy Crack Chicken Penne
Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
Broccoli Crack Chicken Pasta
Stir in 2 cups small broccoli florets during the last 4–5 minutes of pasta cooking.
Extra Cheesy
Add mozzarella or Monterey Jack along with the cheddar.
Garlic Parmesan
Add 2 minced garlic cloves and finish with ¼ cup grated Parmesan.
Ranch Buffalo Chicken
Add 2–3 tablespoons buffalo sauce for a spicy, tangy version.
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool and refrigerate in an airtight container.
Refrigerator: Up to 3–4 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Add a splash of milk or chicken stock when reheating to loosen the sauce.
Freezing
Cream cheese sauces can change texture slightly after freezing, so this dish is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
If you do freeze it, cool completely and store in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently with a splash of milk.
🥓🧀 Recipe Summary
CRACK CHICKEN PENNE brings together smoky bacon, tender chicken, creamy cream cheese, savory Ranch seasoning, and perfectly cooked penne in one seriously comforting pasta dish.
It’s creamy, cheesy, ranchy, and loaded with bacon flavor—the kind of dinner everyone comes back for seconds of.