Description

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish featuring tender chicken strips seasoned with garlic and onion powder, cooked to perfection and tossed in a rich ranch-flavored cream sauce. This dish combines penne pasta with a luscious blend of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and a hint of fresh parsley, perfect for a comforting and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and 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
1 cup reserved pasta water (optional, for adjusting sauce thickness)

Garnish

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Heat the Oil: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
Season and Sear Chicken: Season the chicken strips with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add to the hot skillet and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Cook Pasta: Cook 2 cups of penne pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 4 oz cream cheese, and 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add Cheddar Cheese: Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce and melt completely, creating a creamy and cheesy base.
Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken strips and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the sauce. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve the Crack Chicken Penne warm for best taste and texture.

Notes

You can substitute penne pasta with other pasta types like rigatoni or fusilli if preferred.
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce may be less rich.
Freshly chopped parsley adds a nice color and fresh herb flavor but can be omitted.
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely with a splash of milk or broth.
Adjust the ranch seasoning quantity according to your taste preference for more or less zest.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: crack chicken penne, creamy chicken pasta, ranch chicken pasta, cheesy chicken pasta, easy dinner recipe