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Delicious Crack Chicken Penne served as a tempting featured image.

Irresistible Crack Chicken Penne

This Crack Chicken Penne recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy, and bacon-filled pasta dish that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. With a combination of chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing, and cheddar cheese, this recipe offers a symphony of flavors in every bite. It's an easy-to-make baked pasta that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 750
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish optional
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray or butter, for greasing baking dish

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • Large bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Oven
  • Mixing spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • cutting board
  • knife

Method
 

  1. Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the chicken. You can bake, boil, or grill it. Once cooked, shred it using two forks.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  4. Add the cooked and shredded chicken to the cream cheese mixture. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly.
  5. Stir in the cooked penne pasta, cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
  8. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Garnish with chopped green onions (optional) and serve hot.

Notes

For best results, use full-fat cream cheese for a creamier sauce. Cooking the pasta al dente will prevent it from becoming mushy during baking. You can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for convenience, but cooking and shredding the chicken yourself will result in a more flavorful dish. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through. You can also substitute the cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or Colby Jack cheese for a different flavor profile.