Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts?

Absolutely! If using cooked rotisserie chicken, add it just after the pasta has cooked and proceed to mix in the remaining ingredients. This saves even more time and gives great flavor.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook it fully, let it cool, and then refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat gently and add a splash of chicken stock or milk to loosen the sauce if needed.

What if I don’t have penne pasta?

No worries—any short pasta like rotini, farfalle, or shells will work beautifully. Just adjust cooking time as needed and check for doneness.

Is there a substitute for cream of chicken soup?

If you’d rather skip canned soup, stir together equal parts heavy cream and chicken broth with a pinch of garlic and onion powder. It’ll give a similar creamy texture.

Crack Chicken Penne Recipe

Name: Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 slices smoked bacon, cut into ½-inch diced pieces (reserve ¼ cup for garnish); 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes; ½ cup chopped yellow onion; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 ounce packet Ranch seasoning; 4 cups chicken stock; ½ pound penne pasta; 6 ounces cream cheese; 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup; 8 ounce block Colby jack cheese, shredded (divided: 1½ cups and ½ cup for topping); 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, divided in half

Description

Crack Chicken Penne is a rich, creamy, one-pan pasta dish loaded with juicy chicken, smoky bacon, tangy ranch flavor, tender penne, and gooey Colby jack cheese. Ready in just 40 minutes, this comforting main-course is perfect for weeknight dinners and is sure to be a family favorite.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Bacon

6 slices smoked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch diced pieces (reserve 1/4 cup for garnish)

Chicken

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes

Aromatics & Seasoning

1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 ounce packet Ranch seasoning

Liquids & Pasta

4 cups chicken stock
1/2 pound penne pasta

Creamy Mixture

6 ounces cream cheese
10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup

Cheese & Garnish

8 ounce block Colby jack cheese, shredded (divided: 1 1/2 cups and 1/2 cup for topping)
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, divided in half

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the Bacon: In a large 12-inch skillet set over medium heat, add the diced bacon. Cook for 9-11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve ¼ cup for garnish. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from the skillet.
Brown the Chicken and Onions: On medium-high heat, add the chicken cubes, chopped onion, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken is lightly browned and onions are tender. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this point.
Add Seasoning and Pasta: Sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the chicken and onions, then pour in the chicken stock. Stir well and bring to a boil. Add the penne pasta, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and much of the liquid has been absorbed.
Incorporate Creamy Ingredients: Remove the lid and stir in the cream cheese and cream of chicken soup. Mix thoroughly until smooth and no lumps remain.
Add Cheese and Bacon: Add 1½ cups shredded Colby jack cheese, all but the reserved ¼ cup of bacon, and 1 tablespoon fresh parsley. Stir well to combine and allow the cheese to melt into the sauce.
Melt Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded Colby jack cheese over the pasta (do not stir in). Cover the skillet and let sit for 3-4 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the lid and garnish the dish with the reserved ¼ cup bacon and remaining 1 tablespoon parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For added flavor, try using smoked chicken or turkey instead of regular chicken breast.
Penne pasta can be substituted with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini.
To lighten the dish, use reduced-fat cream cheese or low-fat cheese options.
Best served immediately for the creamiest texture, but leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated over low heat.
Make it spicy by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes with the seasonings.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 690
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 1300mg
Fat: 36g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 53g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 39g
Cholesterol: 120mg