CREAMY CRACK CHICKEN PENNE ULTIMATE

Imagine twirling your fork around perfectly cooked penne pasta, each bite coated in a creamy, cheesy sauce loaded with juicy chicken and crispy bacon. The savory aroma fills your kitchen, promising a dinner so irresistible, you’ll crave it every week. This Creamy Crack Chicken Penne is about to become your new favorite weeknight meal, guaranteed to disappear in minutes – let’s make some magic together!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pasta

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
• Optional: Red pepper flakes, for heat

Let’s Make Some Kitchen Magic: Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Started: Prepping the Chicken

1. In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure each piece is nicely coated!
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Set aside.

Pasta Perfection: Cooking the Penne

1. While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. This is liquid gold, trust me!
3. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Creamy Dreamy Sauce: The Heart of the Dish

1. In the same skillet you used for the chicken, reduce the heat to medium.
2. Add the softened cream cheese and heavy cream. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and smooth.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the sauce to a simmer.
4. Add the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy and luscious. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you like a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes!

The Grand Finale: Combining Everything

1. Add the cooked chicken and crumbled bacon to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
2. Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss until everything is evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
3. Garnish with chopped green onions.
4. Serve immediately and prepare for rave reviews!

Tips and Tricks for Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Success

Okay, friend, let’s talk about some insider secrets to really nail this Creamy Crack Chicken Penne. I want this to be a total home run for you!

Chicken Cooking Tips

Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure the chicken browns nicely and cooks evenly. Overcrowding will steam the chicken, and nobody wants that!

Sauce Consistency is Key

The sauce is the soul of this dish. If your sauce is too thick, don’t be afraid to add more chicken broth or reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your perfect creamy consistency. Remember, you want it to coat the pasta beautifully.

Cheese Choices

I love the combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack for this recipe, but feel free to experiment! A little Colby Jack or even some Pepper Jack would be fantastic. Just make sure your cheese is freshly shredded for the best melting.

Spice It Up!

If you’re a fan of heat, don’t be shy with the red pepper flakes! You can also add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for an extra kick. For a smokier flavor, try using smoked paprika in the chicken seasoning.

Make It Your Own: Variations and Substitutions

This Creamy Crack Chicken Penne is already amazing, but feel free to customize it to your liking! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Vegetable Power

Add some veggies! Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach would be delicious additions. Just add them to the skillet after cooking the chicken and cook until tender before adding the cream cheese.

Pasta Alternatives

Don’t have penne? No problem! Rotini, farfalle (bow tie), or even macaroni would work well. Just make sure to cook the pasta according to package directions.

Bacon Bliss

If you’re not a fan of bacon (gasp!), you can leave it out or substitute it with cooked ham or prosciutto.

Lighter Version

To make this dish a little lighter, you can use light cream cheese and milk instead of heavy cream. You can also use whole wheat pasta for added fiber.

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

This Creamy Crack Chicken Penne is a complete meal on its own, but if you’re looking to round it out, here are a few serving suggestions:

• Serve with a side salad for a fresh and light contrast.
• Garlic bread is always a welcome addition for soaking up that delicious sauce.
• Steamed broccoli or green beans are great vegetable options.

Storage: Store leftover Creamy Crack Chicken Penne in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or broth if needed to loosen the sauce.

Perfect For… Recipes That Will Last All Week, Dinners For Three People, Family Pleasing Dinners, Recipe For Men

This recipe truly shines because it caters to so many needs. Planning Recipes That Will Last All Week is a breeze since the leftovers are just as delicious, if not more so, the next day. Portioning it out also makes it perfect for Dinners For Three People, minimizing waste and maximizing enjoyment. When it comes to Family Pleasing Dinners, the combination of chicken, bacon, cheese, and pasta is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, even for picky eaters. And let’s be honest, this hearty and flavorful dish is definitely a win for anyone looking for a satisfying Recipe For Men. Plus, if you’re a fan of the flavors here, you might also like Parmesan Garlic Chicken Pasta – another quick and easy option!

Craving something else with chicken and pasta? Try our Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Ultimate. Or maybe you’re in the mood for Chicken Mozzarella Pasta? How about the Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese for a little kick? Alternatively, if you’re feeling adventurous, the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine could be just what you need. And for those who love beef, don’t miss the Creamy Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta.

Final Thoughts: Your New Go-To Chicken Pasta Dish

There you have it – my foolproof recipe for Creamy Crack Chicken Penne! This dish is so incredibly easy to make and packed with flavor, it’s guaranteed to become a regular in your dinner rotation. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and I do. Happy cooking, my friend!

Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Ultimate

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Creamy Crack Chicken Penne is a delectable pasta dish featuring juicy chicken and crispy bacon coated in a rich and cheesy sauce. It’s an easy-to-make and irresistible weeknight meal that will quickly become a family favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 700 kcal

Equipment

• Large pot
• Colander
• Large skillet
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 lb penne pasta
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• ¼ cup chopped green onions, for garnish
• Red pepper flakes to taste optional

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Set aside.
• While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
• Drain the pasta and set aside.
• In the same skillet you used for the chicken, reduce the heat to medium.
• Add the softened cream cheese and heavy cream. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and smooth.
• Pour in the chicken broth and bring the sauce to a simmer.
• Add the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy and luscious. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you like a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Add the cooked chicken and crumbled bacon to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
• Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss until everything is evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
• Garnish with chopped green onions.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken; cook in batches if necessary. Adjust the sauce consistency with chicken broth or pasta water. Experiment with different cheese combinations, such as Colby Jack or Pepper Jack. Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for added vegetables. Serve with a side salad, garlic bread, steamed broccoli, or green beans. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of milk or broth if needed.