Get ready to meet your new weeknight dinner obsession. This Crack Chicken Penne is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and savory ranch seasoning in a ridiculously creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s the kind of meal that has everyone coming back for seconds. Best of all? It comes together in one pot for minimal cleanup!
We’re talking about a dinner that’s packed with flavor, incredibly easy to make, and guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family. If you’re looking for a simple recipe that delivers big results, you’ve found it. Let’s dive in!
Why You’ll Love This Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything, including the pasta, cooks in a single pot. That means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal.
- Packed with Flavor: The classic “crack chicken” combination of bacon, ranch, and cheddar cheese creates an irresistibly savory and addictive sauce.
- Quick & Easy: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, coming together in just over 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Family-Friendly: It’s a certified crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will devour.
What is “Crack Chicken”?
“Crack Chicken” is a popular flavor profile, not a specific dish. It gets its name from its famously addictive combination of ingredients: savory chicken, creamy ranch dressing (or seasoning), crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese. This powerhouse quartet creates a rich, tangy, and salty flavor that’s become a huge favorite in appetizers, sandwiches, and, of course, pasta dishes like this one.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You only need a handful of staple ingredients to create this incredible dish.
- Bacon: Provides a crispy, salty bite and a flavorful base for our sauce.
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work perfectly. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Garlic & Onion: The aromatic foundation that builds a deep, savory flavor.
- Chicken Broth: This is the cooking liquid for the pasta and the base of our creamy sauce.
- Ranch Seasoning: A dry packet of ranch seasoning gives the dish its signature tangy flavor.
- Penne Pasta: The perfect shape for capturing the creamy sauce.
- Cream Cheese: The secret to an ultra-creamy, rich sauce. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature.
- Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese melts best and provides the perfect cheesy pull.
- Green Onions: For a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
How to Make The Best Crack Chicken Penne
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect one-pot meal. It’s easier than you think!
- Cook the Bacon: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about one tablespoon of bacon grease in the pot.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the pot and sear on both sides for 2-3 minutes until golden. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Build the Sauce & Cook Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the chicken. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the dry penne pasta. Push the pasta down to submerge it in the liquid. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the pasta is cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the pot and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken, then return it to the pot.
- Make It Creamy: Stir in the softened cream cheese until it has completely melted into the sauce. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the cooked bacon, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Garnish with the remaining crispy bacon and sliced green onions before serving hot.
Tips for the Creamiest, Most Flavorful Pasta
- Use Full-Fat Cheese: For the creamiest sauce, use full-fat block cream cheese and shred your own sharp cheddar. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it sits. Cook it until it’s just al dente for the best texture.
- Scrape the Pot: After searing the chicken and aromatics, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot when you add the chicken broth. This adds a huge amount of flavor!
- Let it Rest: After you stir in the cheese, let the pasta sit for a couple of minutes off the heat. This allows the sauce to thicken up perfectly.
Fun Variations to Try
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic or stir in a diced jalapeño for a bit of heat.
- Add Veggies: Stir in a cup of frozen peas or a few handfuls of fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking for an extra dose of nutrients.
- Use Different Pasta: No penne? No problem! This recipe works great with other short pasta shapes like rotini, rigatoni, or bow ties. You might also like this incredible Creamy Sausage Rigatoni.
What to Serve with Crack Chicken Penne
This dish is a hearty meal all on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with simple sides. A crisp green salad, like this Honeycrisp Apple Salad, or steamed broccoli can cut through the richness. Garlic bread is also a fantastic choice for soaking up every last bit of the creamy sauce.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover Crack Chicken Penne in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave it or gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat. The sauce will thicken in the fridge, so add a splash of milk or chicken broth when reheating to loosen it up and restore its creamy consistency.
For more easy and comforting family meals, be sure to check out our Ground Beef Casserole and this super simple Cheesy Taco Rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Cook the chicken with the broth, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning on low for 4-6 hours. Shred the chicken, then cook your pasta separately and stir everything together with the bacon and cheddar cheese at the end.
Absolutely! While penne is great, you can substitute it with other short pasta shapes like rotini, fusilli, or ziti. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly based on the package directions.
To avoid a greasy sauce, be sure to cook your bacon until crisp and drain it well on paper towels. Also, drain off all but one tablespoon of the bacon grease from the pot before you cook the chicken.
“Crack chicken” is a popular flavor combination that consists of chicken, ranch seasoning, bacon, and cheddar cheese. It’s known for being incredibly savory and addictive!
The easiest way to shred the chicken is to use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for about 15-20 seconds. Alternatively, you can use two forks to pull the cooked chicken apart directly in the pot.
Share Your Creation!
We know you’ll fall in love with this Crack Chicken Penne recipe! It’s the perfect dish to prove that simple ingredients can create something truly special. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. We’d love to see your masterpiece—share a photo on Pinterest and tag us!
Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
Crack Chicken Penne (The Easiest, Creamiest Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving 1 tbsp of grease in the pot.
- Add chicken breasts and sear for 2-3 minutes per side. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, sprinkle with ranch seasoning, and bring to a simmer. Add the dry penne pasta and press to submerge.
- Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until pasta is al dente.
- Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the softened cream cheese until fully melted. Mix in the shredded cheddar and half of the cooked bacon until the sauce is smooth.
- Garnish with the remaining bacon and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Don't Overcook Pasta: Cook pasta just until al dente as it will continue to soften in the sauce.
Reheating: Add a splash of milk or broth when reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave to restore the sauce's creamy texture.
