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An overhead shot of a skillet containing creamy bacon ranch chicken pasta, showing the rich texture of the sauce before serving.
FL Recipes

Crack Chicken Penne: The Ultimate One-Pot Comfort Meal

This one-pot Crack Chicken Penne is an easy weeknight dinner game-changer! Tender chicken, penne pasta, and crispy bacon are tossed in an addictively creamy, cheesy ranch sauce. It's a family-friendly meal ready in about 30 minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 8 slices bacon chopped
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened and cubed
  • 1 oz packet dry ranch seasoning
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 4 cups chicken broth low-sodium
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup green onions sliced, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Slotted Spoon

Method
 

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving about one tablespoon of bacon grease in the pot.
  2. Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the chicken breasts and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
  4. Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks. While you do this, bring the broth in the pot back to a boil.
  5. Add the penne pasta to the boiling broth. Cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
  6. Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese until it has completely melted into a smooth sauce.
  7. Add the shredded chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning, and half of the cooked bacon back to the pot. Stir until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining bacon and sliced green onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalProtein: 38gFat: 35gFiber: 2g

Notes

Tip 1: For the creamiest sauce, use freshly shredded cheddar cheese. Pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
Tip 2: Feel free to add a cup of steamed broccoli or frozen peas at the end for extra veggies and color.
Keyword bacon ranch chicken pasta,crack chicken penne,creamy chicken pasta

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