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–+ servings
Crack Chicken Penne

Creamy Crack Chicken Penne for Ultimate Comfort Food Bliss

Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy delight perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Penne Pasta substitute with gluten-free pasta if needed
For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Chicken Breasts or swap with shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil any cooking oil works as well
For the Sauce
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese or use half-and-half or whole milk
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream can be replaced with half-and-half
  • 1 cup Chicken Broth homemade or store-bought
  • 1 packet Ranch Seasoning Mix adjust based on taste
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder or substitute with fresh minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder or swap in chopped onions
For the Cheese
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese can experiment with Monterey Jack or Colby
Garnish
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Parsley optional

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • large pot
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips and sear in olive oil until golden brown.
  2. Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, reserving one cup of pasta water.
  3. In the same skillet, create the sauce by combining chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning mix.
  4. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy, adjusting consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
  5. Combine cooked chicken and pasta with the sauce, mixing until fully coated.
  6. Serve garnished with parsley and enjoy warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This dish can be customized with your choice of vegetables or different types of cheese. Adjust seasoning to your taste.

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