Crack Chicken Penne

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy, and indulgent pasta dish that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich, velvety sauce. It’s the perfect comfort food that’s easy to make and sure to please everyone at the table.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings 6

Ingredients

4 slices thick-cut bacon
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into small bite-sized pieces
1 ounce ranch seasoning 1 packet or 2 tablespoons
8 ounces penne pasta uncooked, or any pasta of your choice
3 1/2 cups chicken broth low-sodium or no salt added
4 ounces cream cheese Philadelphia recommended
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and drain most of the bacon fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon behind. Chop the bacon into small pieces.
In the same pot, add the chicken and cook over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, or until it begins to brown. The chicken will still be pink inside and not fully cooked. Add the ranch seasoning mix to the chicken and stir, ensuring each piece is coated in the seasoning.
Next, add the uncooked penne and chicken broth to the pot, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente or to your preference. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. There should still be some liquid remaining when the pasta is done. If necessary, add more broth, although 3 1/2 cups should be sufficient.
Add the cream cheese to the pot and stir until it melts into a creamy sauce, ensuring most of the cream cheese is fully incorporated. Stir the bacon back into the mixture, then add about 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix everything until well combined and the cheese melts smoothly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top, then cover the pot with the lid. Let it cook for about 30 seconds before turning off the heat and removing the lid. The cheese should have melted. Alternatively, you can place the Dutch oven under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and begins to brown on top.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

Notes

Instant Pot Crack Chicken Penne Instructions
Start by chopping the bacon into small pieces. Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode, which will default to 30 minutes. Add the bacon and cook until it begins to brown. Once browned, transfer the bacon to a plate and drain some of the fat if needed. Add the chicken to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes until it starts to brown. Sprinkle in the ranch seasoning and stir to coat the chicken evenly.
Next, add the uncooked penne and chicken broth, and stir to combine. You will only need about 2 to 2 1/2 cups of broth. Close the Instant Pot lid (follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly close the lid). Set the Instant Pot to the Poultry setting and adjust the timer to 5 minutes.
Once the Instant Pot cycle is complete, allow the natural release cycle to finish, which will take about 10 minutes. If you're in a hurry, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for a quick release. Carefully unlock and remove the lid.
Stir in the cream cheese until it melts into the sauce. Add the bacon and all of the cheese, then stir everything together. Serve and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Penne Instructions
Begin by frying the bacon as instructed in step 1 above. Add the chicken, ranch seasoning mix, cream cheese, and chicken broth to your slow cooker. You will only need about 2 to 2 1/2 cups of broth.
Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 4 hours. About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, stir in the uncooked penne. After the cooking time is complete, add the bacon and cheese, stir everything together, and serve.