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Crack chicken penne combines al dente pasta with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich cream cheese sauce enhanced with zesty ranch seasoning. When melted together, the cream cheese creates a silky coating while sharp cheddar adds delicious golden color and flavor to every forkful.
This dish has become a staple at family gatherings, consistently drawing second helpings. It's so deliciously compelling that even those who typically avoid creamy pastas request it specifically.
Essential Ingredients
- Penne Pasta: Select quality ridged pasta that maintains its shape and captures sauce in the grooves
- Bacon: Thick-cut provides the best crispy texture and smoky flavor
- Chicken Breast: Fresh, boneless pieces cut uniformly for even cooking
- Cream Cheese: Room temperature full-fat variety creates the smoothest sauce
- Ranch Seasoning: Dry seasoning mix provides concentrated flavor
Cooking Instructions
- Step 1:
- Boil salted water and cook penne until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water before draining.
- Step 2:
- Crisp bacon in large pot, remove and reserve 1 tablespoon fat.
- Step 3:
- Season diced chicken with pepper and salt, cook in bacon fat until golden, 6-7 minutes.
- Step 4:
- Cook onions until soft, add garlic until fragrant. Deglaze with broth.
- Step 5:
- Gradually melt cream cheese into sauce, stir in ranch seasoning.
- Step 6:
- Combine pasta with sauce, adding reserved water as needed.
- Step 7:
- Mix in bacon and cheddar, garnish with scallions.
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The secret to this recipe's silky sauce comes from an old family tradition of using cream cheese rather than heavy cream. Years of making this dish have proven that cream cheese truly does create an unmatched smooth texture with subtle tanginess.
Make-Ahead Magic
Store in an airtight container up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce consistency.
Variations to Try
Enhance with sautéed mushrooms for earthiness, sun-dried tomatoes for brightness, or fresh spinach for color and nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
Serve alongside a simple green salad with vinaigrette dressing. Crusty garlic bread makes the perfect accompaniment for enjoying every bit of sauce.
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This comforting pasta dish consistently delights with its perfect balance of tender noodles, creamy sauce, and smoky bacon. Each forkful delivers pure comfort food satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare this ahead of time?
- Sure, you can make it up to 2 days in advance. When reheating, use low heat and add some milk to keep the sauce creamy.
- → What’s an alternative to ranch seasoning?
- You can whip up a blend of dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and buttermilk powder for a DIY substitute.
- → How should I store leftovers?
- Leftovers should go in an airtight container and be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. If the sauce gets too thick upon reheating, add a little liquid to soften it.
- → Is rotisserie chicken okay to use?
- Absolutely! Skip cooking fresh chicken and just mix in shredded rotisserie chicken when you’re making the sauce.
- → What can I serve alongside this pasta?
- Pair it with a green salad, garlic bread, or some steamed veggies like broccoli for a complete meal.