Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta, a dish that combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a velvety sauce. This quick and easy dinner will have your family craving it night after night.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 to 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 pound short, sturdy pasta (penne, rotini, cavatappi, or medium shells)
- 8-ounce block of full-fat cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 1.5 to 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 ounce packet of dry ranch dressing mix
- 8–10 slices of crispy bacon, crumbled
- 1.5 to 2 cups shredded sharp or mild cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3–4 cloves of minced garlic
- Olive oil or butter for sautéing
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Get a large pot of salted water boiling. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until it's al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season raw chicken with salt and pepper, then cook in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat until cooked through. Let rest before shredding or dicing. If using rotisserie chicken, just shred it.
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Keep 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the Creamy Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits. Reduce heat to low, add softened cream cheese, and stir until melted. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and ranch seasoning mix until smooth.
- Melt the Cheese: Gradually stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and incorporated. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if too thick.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked chicken, drained pasta, and two-thirds of the crumbled bacon to the skillet. Toss gently until coated in sauce. Adjust seasonings if needed.
- Serve: Dish out immediately, garnishing with remaining crumbled bacon and fresh parsley or chives if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: For a lighter option, use turkey bacon or Neufchâtel cheese. You can also add vegetables like peas or broccoli for extra nutrition. Adjust the ranch seasoning to your taste for a stronger flavor.