Crack chicken pasta is my favorite one-pot pasta dinner recipe, and it always satisfies! Tender bites of penne are served in a creamy, flavorful sauce with cream cheese, bacon, and a variety of other cheeses. I love how easy it is to make this crack chicken penne recipe on the stovetop with just a few ingredients, and it’s unbelievably addictive!
Crack Chicken Penne Pasta
Me, my family, and everyone I know is obsessed with crack chicken, so I make as many dishes as I can with those same ingredients. Cream cheese, ranch, bacon, chicken–what’s not to love? This crack chicken pasta recipe with penne is the perfect dish for it, and my kids never get tired of it. It’s become one of our favorite chicken pasta recipes, so luckily it’s easy enough to make on a weekly basis!
One Simple Tip!
If the sauce seems to be coming out too liquid-y, let the mixture simmer for a few minutes without the lid to help release some of the moisture. Also, cream cheese sauces tend to thicken as they cool. The pasta can also be cooked without the lid for the final few minutes if you’re worried about too much liquid.
Ingredients
- ▢ 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ▢ 2 cups chicken broth
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ 16 ounces penne pasta,, uncooked
- ▢ 1 packet Ranch dressing mix
- ▢ 16 ounces cream cheese,, cut in cubes
- ▢ 1 cup water
- ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese,, divided
- ▢ 8 slices bacon,, cooked and crumbled
- ▢ 3 green onions,, sliced
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add chicken broth, black pepper, crushed red pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cover slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours.
- Shred the chicken and add the pasta, Ranch dressing mix, cream cheese, water and half the cheddar cheese. Stir to mix and press pasta down into the liquid.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring after 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar, bacon, and green onions on top. Place lid back on and let sit 5 minutes. Serve.