Description
Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish loaded with tender chicken strips and a flavorful ranch-infused sauce. With penne pasta smothered in a luscious blend of cream cheese, cheddar, and heavy cream, this meal is both comforting and easy to prepare, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta
- 2 cups penne pasta
Sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken strips with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sear the chicken in the hot skillet until golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Make the sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning to the skillet. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Add cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely into the sauce, creating a creamy mixture.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained penne pasta. Gently toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken thoroughly with the sauce.
- Simmer: Allow the combined ingredients to simmer for 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water gradually if the sauce is too thick.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if using, and serve the crack chicken penne warm.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use fresh parsley for a pop of color and added freshness.
- For a healthier version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
- Ranch seasoning mix adds signature flavor, but you can use your favorite spice blend if preferred.
- Ensure chicken is cooked fully to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: crack chicken penne, creamy chicken pasta, ranch chicken pasta, easy weeknight dinner, cheesy chicken pasta
