What the heck is this?
This is not your average chicken pasta. This is Crack Chicken Penne—creamy, cheesy, ranch-flavored comfort food tossed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked penne. It’s bold, rich, and seriously addictive (hence the name). Perfect for feeding a hungry crew, meal prepping for the week, or just treating yourself to a bowl of happiness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Because it’s creamy, cheesy, and ridiculously satisfying. Because it’s easy to make on a weeknight and fancy enough to serve to guests. Because bacon and ranch are a match made in pasta heaven. Because it makes a big pot, and you’ll be happy about leftovers. Because it’s like mac and cheese grew up and got fun.
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
• 12 oz penne pasta (or any short pasta)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix (or more, depending on taste)
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1½ cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella (optional for extra melty goodness)
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• Optional: red pepper flakes or chopped parsley for topping
Let’s Do This
- Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. - Cook the chicken
While the pasta’s going, heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and keep warm. - Make the sauce
In the same pan, reduce heat to medium. Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. - Add cheese and bacon
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella (if using). Once the cheese is melted and the sauce is silky, add in the cooked bacon and stir to combine. - Combine everything
Add the cooked penne and chicken to the skillet and toss everything together until evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Cook for another 2–3 minutes to warm everything through and let the flavors mingle. - Serve it up
Spoon the pasta into bowls and garnish with green onions, parsley, or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, savory madness.
Serving Suggestions
Pair it with a light green salad or roasted broccoli to balance the richness
Garlic bread or warm rolls on the side = no regrets
Serve it with a cold drink or a glass of white wine and pretend you’re at your favorite cozy bistro
Great for meal prep: portion into containers and enjoy it all week
Switch It Up
Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken to save time
Substitute turkey bacon or veggie bacon to lighten it up
Add steamed broccoli, peas, or spinach for a pop of color and nutrients
Make it spicy by tossing in a spoonful of hot sauce or adding chopped jalapeños
Make-Ahead Tips
Cook the pasta and chicken ahead of time and refrigerate separately
The sauce can be made a day in advance—just reheat gently and add a splash of cream or broth to loosen it
Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge
Reheat in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave with a splash of broth or milk to keep it creamy
Not freezer-friendly due to the dairy, but if you don’t mind a slightly different texture, it’ll still taste great
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I make this without bacon?
A: Totally. Just skip it or swap in something smoky like sun-dried tomatoes for that deep umami flavor.
Q: What if I don’t have ranch seasoning?
A: You can make your own with garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, dried parsley, and a pinch of salt. Or just season with what you’ve got—it’ll still taste amazing.
Q: Is there a lighter version of this?
A: You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, light cream cheese, and less cheese overall. But honestly, this dish is meant to be indulgent.
Crack Chicken Penne: Creamy, Cheesy, Bacon-Packed Pasta You’ll Want on Repeat
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
Description
This is not your average chicken pasta. This is Crack Chicken Penne—creamy, cheesy, ranch-flavored comfort food tossed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked penne. It’s bold, rich, and seriously addictive (hence the name). Perfect for feeding a hungry crew, meal prepping for the week, or just treating yourself to a bowl of happiness.
Ingredients
• 12 oz penne pasta (or any short pasta)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix (or more, depending on taste)
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1½ cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella (optional for extra melty goodness)
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• Optional: red pepper flakes or chopped parsley for topping
Instructions
Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.Cook the chicken
While the pasta’s going, heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and keep warm.Make the sauce
In the same pan, reduce heat to medium. Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.Add cheese and bacon
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella (if using). Once the cheese is melted and the sauce is silky, add in the cooked bacon and stir to combine.Combine everything
Add the cooked penne and chicken to the skillet and toss everything together until evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Cook for another 2–3 minutes to warm everything through and let the flavors mingle.Serve it up
Spoon the pasta into bowls and garnish with green onions, parsley, or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, savory madness.
Notes
Pair it with a light green salad or roasted broccoli to balance the richness
Garlic bread or warm rolls on the side = no regrets
Serve it with a cold drink or a glass of white wine and pretend you’re at your favorite cozy bistro
Great for meal prep: portion into containers and enjoy it all week
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~720 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: ~40g per serving
- Protein: ~38g per serving