Crack Chicken Penne
This Crack Chicken Penne is creamy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor. A quick and easy one-pan dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Large Pot
Ingredients
Pasta & Chicken
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz penne pasta cooked al dente
- salt & pepper to taste
Creamy Ranch Sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup chicken broth
Cheesy Finishing Touch
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning mix. Stir until the cream cheese starts to melt.
- Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring constantly, until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until coated with the creamy ranch sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta. Cover the skillet and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese melts.
- Give everything a final stir and serve hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, add garlic, red pepper flakes, or crispy bacon. You can also lighten up this dish by using Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese.