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Crack Chicken Penne

Crack Chicken Penne
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Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken and rich sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, this recipe combines penne pasta with cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar, bacon bits, and green onions for a family-friendly meal that’s both indulgent and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 large chicken breasts, diced
  • 1/2 cup bacon bits, crispy

Pasta

  • 12 ounces penne pasta

Dairy

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Penne: Begin by boiling the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside while you prepare the sauce and chicken.
  2. Prepare the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced chicken breasts seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder or minced garlic until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low and add the cream cheese and sour cream. Stir continuously until melted and smooth. Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until the sauce is rich, creamy, and well combined.
  4. Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained penne pasta. Stir thoroughly to coat both the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce.
  5. Finish with Bacon and Green Onions: Sprinkle the crispy bacon bits and chopped green onions over the pasta mixture. Gently mix some in or reserve them to garnish on top. Serve the dish warm and enjoy the comforting flavors.

Notes

  • Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness and help it hold up to the creamy sauce.
  • Use cream cheese at room temperature for a smoother, velvety sauce texture.
  • Don’t skip adding bacon; it provides essential crunch and smoky flavor balancing the creaminess.
  • If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with a splash of pasta water or chicken broth.
  • Add green onions last to maintain their bright flavor and crisp texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, crack chicken penne, quick chicken dinner, cheesy pasta recipe, one pot chicken pasta, family dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://linacorner.com/crack-chicken-penne/