Description
Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish featuring tender seasoned chicken strips tossed in a rich ranch cream sauce with penne pasta. This comforting meal combines savory ranch seasoning, melted cheddar, and cream cheese for an indulgent yet easy-to-make dinner perfect for family meals or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta
- 2 cups penne pasta
Sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil and Season Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken strips with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Sear Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken strips to the hot skillet and sear them until they are golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove from skillet and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Lower the skillet heat to medium. Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning mix. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth.
- Add Cheddar Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce, allowing it to melt completely for a creamy texture.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken and drained penne pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly and allow it to simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta for color and freshness. Serve the dish warm for best enjoyment.
Notes
- Use freshly chopped parsley to add a burst of freshness and color.
- Reserve pasta water contains starch that helps thicken and bind the sauce.
- Ranch seasoning adds signature flavor but can be adjusted or substituted with your favorite seasoning mix.
- To reduce fat content, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream option.
- For a spicier twist, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Crack Chicken, Penne Pasta, Creamy Ranch Pasta, Chicken Pasta Dinner, Cheesy Pasta Recipe
