Crack Chicken Penne Recipe: Your New Favorite Dish

Ever had one of those busy days when cooking dinner seems like too much? Imagine it’s Tuesday evening. You’ve just gotten home from a non-stop day. The family is hungry, and the fridge is full, but you’re drawing a blank on what to make. Then you remember the *Crack Chicken Penne recipe*. This dish is not only comforting but easy to make. It quickly becomes a favorite *easy dinner idea* for any night of the week.

The mix of tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy cheese creates a taste of heaven. This *family-friendly meal* is perfect for anyone. Whether you’re an experienced chef or a beginner. Picture your family gathered around the table, enjoying this *comfort food recipe*. It feels like dining out at home. These are the moments that turn an ordinary day into special memories.

This recipe’s true beauty lies in its flexibility and fantastic flavor. It calls for chicken breasts, penne pasta, and cheeses, allowing you to tailor it to your liking. The combination of soft, creamy cheese and crispy bacon means every bite is delightful. It transforms a simple meal into an exciting *crack chicken penne recipe* adventure¹.

The Copy Cat Recipe Book is here to help, offering easy recipes that add joy to cooking. The kitchen becomes a place of imagination. Creating delicious meals that everyone enjoys becomes a breeze. Let the *Crack Chicken Penne recipe* become your new favorite, perfect for busy or relaxed nights.

Introduction to Crack Chicken Penne

Crack Chicken Penne isn’t just any pasta dish; it’s a blend of flavors that bring comfort and joy.

The dish’s name comes from how addictive its ingredients are. These include cream cheese, ranch seasoning, crispy bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese.

Together with tender chicken and just-right penne pasta, they make a meal that’s rich, creamy, and impossible to resist.

It shines as a simple dish you can make in one pot. It’s filling and full of flavor, perfect for a big meal.

A single serving of this yummy dish has about 600-700 calories. It gives you 30-40 grams of protein and 25-35 grams of fat².

Crack Chicken Penne also packs 50-60 grams of carbs. This makes it a well-rounded choice if you want taste plus nutrition².

For the creamy sauce, mix 1 cup of chicken broth and 1/2 cup of milk with 8 ounces of cream cheese. After simmering for 3-4 minutes, it thickens nicely³.

The recipe can change to fit your diet. There are gluten-free and plant-based options available².

You can also try it with different pasta shapes like fusilli, farfalle, or rigatoni. It’s all about what you prefer².

And a glass of Chardonnay or light Pinot Noir will go great with this creamy pasta. It just adds to the richness of the meal².

Ingredients Needed for Crack Chicken Penne Recipe

For this tasty pasta dish, you’ll need a mix of fresh, yummy items. Let’s look at what you’ll need!

10 ounces of penne pasta (16 ounces if you want more)⁴⁵
8 slices of chopped bacon⁴
1 ½ pounds of chicken breasts or thighs, without bones and skin, cut up (important for this recipe)⁴⁵
1 packet of ranch seasoning mix⁵
1 (8-ounce) block of cream cheese⁵
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (makes it creamy and cheesy)⁴
1/2 cup diced yellow onion⁵
2 tablespoons bacon grease for more flavor⁵
3 cups of chicken broth⁵
1 (10.5-ounce) can of condensed cream of chicken soup⁵
Onions and garlic, cooked until they smell great
Fresh parsley to add color and freshness⁵
1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper for taste

This group of ingredients makes a filling, tasty pasta. The bacon adds a smoky taste, and the chicken brings protein. The penne catches the creamy sauce well, and ranch seasoning gives it a bold taste.

Top your Crack Chicken Penne with fresh parsley for color and a nice look. Each piece adds to a meal that’s not just good but also simple to make. Get set to wow everyone with this amazing dish!

Step-by-Step: How to Make Crack Chicken Penne

Making crack chicken penne is a perfect quick dinner option. This guide makes cooking it easy.

Start by cooking 6 slices of bacon in a large skillet until crispy, about 9-11 minutes. Save ¼ cup of bacon for topping⁶. Then, cook 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts in the same skillet for about 5-6 minutes⁶.

Next, add bell peppers and onions. Flavor with a ranch mix. Then pour in 4 cups of chicken broth and ½ pound of penne. Simmer until the pasta is tender, about 15-20 minutes⁶.

Once the pasta is ready, mix in 6 ounces of cream cheese and 10.5 ounces of cream of chicken soup for creaminess. Include 1½ cups of Colby Jack cheese and the saved bacon. Stir until the cheese melts and everything is mixed well. This takes 3-4 minutes⁶. You can add red pepper flakes or spices to make it spicy, if you like⁷.

To finish, decorate the dish with 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley and an extra ½ cup of Colby Jack cheese before serving⁶. Crack chicken penne is easy to make and creates a tasty, creamy dish that everyone will love.

Why This Recipe Works

The Crack Chicken Penne recipe is great for anyone who’s busy. It’s easy to make and tastes good too. Its ingredients, like bacon, chicken, and cheeses, mix to make every mouthful yummy. With 4 slices of bacon, a pound of chicken, some ranch seasoning, penne pasta, chicken broth, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and parsley, it’s a hit⁸. The pasta cooks in the pot with everything else, making a creamy sauce. This recipe means you don’t have a lot of dishes to wash, which is perfect for busy nights.

This dish is also great because you can change it up. Want it spicy? Just add red chili flakes or cayenne pepper⁸. Trying different pastas, like rotini or rigatoni, can make it new and exciting⁸. It’s a sure way to please everyone at home.

It’s also packed with nutrition. You get 42 grams of protein in each serving⁹. It’s got a good balance of carbs, fats, and proteins¹⁰. Depending on the version, it can have between 560 to 773 calories. So, you can pick what fits your diet needs best¹⁰⁹.

Another great thing is it cooks fast. In just 40 minutes, you can have it ready¹⁰. If you make too much, no worries. You can keep the leftovers for up to three days⁹.

And if you’re trying to eat healthy, this recipe has got you covered. It’s full of vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron¹⁰. It’s more than just tasty; it’s good for you too.

Nutritional Information

Thinking about healthy dinner options? Crack Chicken Penne is a great choice. It has a perfect mix of carbs, protein, and fats. So, it tastes amazing and feeds your body well.

Let’s look closely at what each serving of Crack Chicken Penne offers:

Component	Amount
Calories	773
Carbohydrates	55g
Protein	42g
Fat	42g
Saturated Fat	19g

Crack Chicken Penne also packs in fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. This boosts its standing among healthy dinner options. You get a tasty, well-rounded meal that promotes good health. It underlines the nutritional value of crack chicken penne¹¹.

This dish is more than just filling. It gives you the energy and nutrients your body needs. It shows that enjoying your favorite foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle.

Tips for the Perfect Crack Chicken Penne

Making the perfect Crack Chicken Penne needs a few key steps for a tasty meal. We’ll talk about picking the best pasta and how to get that creamy, cheesy taste just right.

Choosing the Right Pasta

Choosing the right pasta for Crack Chicken Penne is important for success. Penne is great because it grabs onto the sauce well, making every bite delicious. This choice improves how the dish feels and tastes a lot. You can also try pastas like fusilli or rigatoni for a new texture and flavor¹². best pasta for crack chicken penne.

Achieving the Perfect Cheese Melt

For Crack Chicken Penne, getting the cheese to melt just right is key. For deep flavor and easy melting, mix cheeses like cheddar and cream cheese as the recipe says¹³. It’s better to grate your own cheese than use pre-shredded ones. This way, it melts evenly and doesn’t clump. Slowly add cheese to the sauce on low heat, stirring a lot. This way, your Crack Chicken Penne will be as good as any restaurant’s.

Serving Suggestions

Thinking about how to serve crack chicken penne? Remember, presentation is key. Serve it hot, with extra cheese and bacon on top. This boosts its flavor and texture. Pair it with a green salad or steamed veggies to balance its richness.

Don’t forget a slice of crusty bread. It’s great for soaking up leftover sauce. These serving suggestions make sure your meal is complete. This dish serves six, with each portion having 773 calories¹⁰.

Using simple things like bacon, chicken, and cheese makes it tasty⁸. Add a sprinkle of parsley for a dish that looks as good as it tastes⁸.

If you care about meal presentation tips, making it look good is important. Place everything nicely on the plate. Think about colors and textures. This not only makes the meal look great but also makes it more inviting.

To learn more about this tasty recipe, check out professional advice. This ensures you make the most out of your cooking experience¹⁰.

Conclusion

*Quick and delicious*, Crack Chicken Penne is perfect for busy families. It’s made with heavy cream, chicken broth, and parmesan cheese. This combo creates a rich, creamy sauce. Plus, it’s easy to make with common ingredients like penne pasta and chicken breasts¹⁴.

It only takes about 30 minutes to prepare. This means less time cooking and more time with your loved ones¹⁴. You can even switch up the pasta or meat, like shrimp or ham. This makes it great for different tastes¹⁵. And, you can keep the leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days¹⁴.

Crack Chicken Penne is both easy and delicious. It’s sure to become a family favorite. Give it a try and see how it brightens your meal times. With its simple steps, yummy taste, and flexibility, it’s perfect for any meal¹⁵.

FAQ

What makes Crack Chicken Penne a family-friendly meal?

Crack Chicken Penne is loved because it mixes creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and tender chicken. This blend is appealing to all, from kids to adults. Plus, it’s easy to make, perfect for busy nights.

Can I make this recipe as a quick dinner option?

Yes, you can! The Crack Chicken Penne Recipe is quick to make. Its one-pot approach simplifies cooking, letting you enjoy a tasty meal in no time.

What ingredients are essential for a crack chicken penne recipe?

To make Crack Chicken Penne, gather bacon, chicken breasts or thighs, penne, ranch mix, cream cheese, cheddar, onions, garlic, chicken broth, and parsley. These ingredients create a creamy, mouth-watering pasta dish.

How do I ensure the pasta cooks evenly and absorbs flavor well?

For evenly cooked, flavorful pasta, simmer the penne in chicken broth as the recipe directs. This helps the pasta absorb savory tastes while becoming perfectly al dente.

What nutritional benefits does Crack Chicken Penne offer?

Crack Chicken Penne balances carbs, proteins, and fats. It also provides fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. It’s a comforting meal that nourishes and satisfies.

What kind of pasta is best for this recipe?

Penne pasta is the best choice. Its tube shape and ridges hold the creamy sauce well. Every bite is packed with flavor, making penne ideal for this dish.

How can I achieve a perfect cheese melt for a creamy texture?

To get a smooth, creamy sauce, add cheese slowly on low heat. Using fresh cheese rather than pre-shredded also helps it melt better.

What are some serving suggestions for Crack Chicken Penne?

Serve Crack Chicken Penne hot with extra cheese and bacon bits on top. Add a green salad or steamed veggies for a fuller meal. Don’t forget a slice of crusty bread to soak up the sauce.