Description

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, comforting pasta dish featuring tender strips of seasoned chicken cooked in a rich sauce of cream cheese, cheddar, ranch seasoning, and heavy cream. Combined with perfectly cooked penne, this easy skillet meal delivers bold flavors and a satisfying texture, garnished with fresh parsley for a touch of brightness.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken & Seasoning

2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt, to taste
Black 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

Heat the olive oil: Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm up and become slightly shimmering for searing the chicken.
Season and cook chicken: Season the chicken strips evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and sear until golden brown and cooked through, then remove the chicken and set it aside.
Cook the pasta: Boil the penne pasta in salted water following package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
Prepare the sauce: Return the skillet to medium heat and add the chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
Add cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt fully into the sauce for a rich, creamy consistency.
Combine chicken and pasta with sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained penne pasta back into the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the sauce, then let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to meld flavors.
Adjust sauce consistency: If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water to reach the desired creaminess and texture.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a fresh color contrast and serve warm immediately.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half and reduce cheese amount.
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
Use gluten-free pasta if you need a gluten-free option.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.

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 dinner recipe, cheesy chicken pasta