Hearty Crack Chicken Penne

Penne with bacon, chicken, cheese, and ranch all mixed in a luxuriously rich sauce. Creamy comfort that comes together in just one pot. Don’t stress about cleanup because you’ll only dirty one dish—just what you need after a long weekday.

I whipped this up when my kids were picky about what they'd eat. The very first time, our dinner table was weirdly quiet—everyone was too busy getting seconds.

Irresistible Ingredients

• Fresh Parsley: Sprinkle this over the top for a pop of green
• Chicken Broth: Gives depth and helps pasta cook up just right
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar packs a punch of flavor
• Cream Cheese: This is what gives the sauce its creamy magic
• Penne Pasta: Grabs up all that sauce with its ridged sides
• Ranch Seasoning: Brings all the flavors into harmony
• Chicken Breasts: Chop into small bites so everything cooks evenly
• Bacon: Thick pieces mean hearty bites that won’t get soggy

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Make it Creamy:

• Let the cream cheese melt into the pasta
• Add in the cheddar a bit at a time
• Toss those bacon pieces back in
• Let your sauce get just a little thick

One-Pot Wonder:

• Add broth and pasta together
• Put the lid on and let it simmer until pasta has a little bite left
• Give it a stir now and then so nothing sticks
• Start with a boil, then turn down the heat

Chicken Time:

• Pop in the chicken pieces and let them brown in the leftover bacon drippings
• Shake on the ranch so every piece is coated
• Don’t cook it all the way through—it’ll finish later with the noodles

This way, the chicken gets super flavorful.

Bacon First:

• Fry up your bacon in a big heavy pot until super crispy
• Drain the bacon, but keep about a spoon of fat in the pan
• Once cooled, chop up the bacon

That leftover bacon grease is what gives the whole dish its flavor boost.

My daughter’s friend can’t stop talking about this dish. Now her mom makes it every Monday night. I’m kinda proud it’s become their family thing!

Handy Chef Tips

• Cut up your cream cheese before tossing it in so it melts way faster
• Bacon can be cooked a few days ahead—makes dinner super quick
• Save a handful of bacon to sprinkle on top at the end
• Start testing your pasta a couple of minutes before the box says it’s done

I keep coming back to this one because everyone loves it. The ranch perks up every bite, bacon gives that smoky edge, and the cheese sauce is next-level dreamy. Seeing people pile their plates for seconds? Best feeling ever.

How To Serve And Store

Storage:

• Stash leftovers in a sealed container and they’ll keep up to four days
• Use a bit of milk and gently reheat for that creamy vibe again
• Stick in freezer-safe tubs and this keeps in the freezer for two months easy
• Let it thaw overnight in the fridge so it’s ready to warm up the next day

When warming up, I give it a few stirs and splash in a little cream—brings that sauce right back.

Awesome Combos

• Green beans cooked quickly with garlic
• Fresh salad with a zesty vinaigrette
• Oven-roasted cherry tomatoes
• Broccoli roasted with lots of garlic

Switch Things Up

• Use turkey instead of chicken if you want it leaner
• Sneak in some spinach for extra goodness
• Swap in bow-tie or twisty pasta shapes for fun
• Add pepper jack cheese if you want more heat
• Cooked mushrooms bring even more savory flavor

Easy Fixes

• For thick sauce, pour in warm broth bit by bit until it's right
• If it’s runny, let it cook with no lid for a few minutes
• Pasta still chewy? Splash in hot broth and keep simmering
• Cream cheese smooths best if it’s already room temp

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Prep-Ahead Secrets

• Bacon can be fried up and crumbled up to three days early
• Cut up your chicken and marinate it in the fridge overnight
• Measure and toss your dry stuff together beforehand
• Shred your cheese ahead for easy tossing in later

Wrapping It Up

This one-pot penne is a staple at my house and lots of other kitchens, too. You can change it up with whatever you have, and it always works out—even if you’re new to cooking. It’s tasty but also super flexible and forgiving.

Just remember: let that sauce get creamy and don’t rush the pasta. Whether you’re feeding a crew or making meals for the week, you’ll get top-tier comfort food every time.

Recipe FAQs

→ Why does everyone call it crack chicken?

Bacon, melted cheese, and ranch make this combo seriously hard to quit eating. That’s where the name comes from!

→ Is it okay to use a different kind of pasta?

Totally fine—just grab something about the same size and shape. The cooking time may be a bit different though.

→ How do I keep the pasta from clumping together?

Just give it a stir now and then, making sure it all stays under the liquid.

→ Can I make this in advance?

Yep! But be ready to add a splash of milk or broth if the sauce thickens up after chilling.

→ Is cooked chicken okay to use?

For sure! Toss in rotisserie or leftover chicken when you add the pasta.