Description
Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy, one-skillet dinner that’s loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and ranch-seasoned comfort. A family-favorite weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again!
Ingredients
-
6 slices of smoked bacon, diced (¼ cup reserved for garnish)
-
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into 1-inch cubes
-
½ cup chopped yellow onion
-
¼ teaspoon salt
-
¼ teaspoon black pepper
-
1-ounce packet of dry Ranch seasoning mix
-
4 cups unsalted or low-sodium chicken stock
-
½ pound penne pasta
-
6 ounces cream cheese
-
1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
-
8-ounce block Colby Jack cheese, shredded (1½ cups + ½ cup)
-
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, divided
Instructions
-
In a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon for 9–11 minutes until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve ¼ cup for garnish.
-
Drain all but 2 tablespoons of bacon grease. Add cubed chicken, onion, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5–6 minutes until lightly browned.
-
Stir in Ranch seasoning and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, add penne, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes or until pasta is tender.
-
Remove lid and stir in cream cheese and cream of chicken soup until smooth.
-
Add 1½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, cooked bacon (minus reserved), and 1 tablespoon parsley. Stir well.
-
Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheese over the top. Cover for 3–4 minutes until melted.
-
Garnish with reserved bacon and remaining parsley before serving.
Notes
For smoother blending, let the cream cheese soften at room temperature.
This dish thickens as it cools—add a splash of chicken stock when reheating if needed.
Feel free to swap penne with rotini, shells, or ziti for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 710 Kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg