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Easy Crack Chicken Pasta

A delicious and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy cheese, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
  • 8 oz penne pasta Cooked until al dente
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled Cooked until crispy
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional) For garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, crumble into small pieces.
  3. Season cubed chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In the same skillet using bacon drippings, cook chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Cooking
  1. Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese and milk to the skillet, stirring constantly until smooth.
  2. Stir in the ranch seasoning mix and shredded cheddar cheese. Let the cheese melt completely into the sauce.
  3. Add the crumbled bacon and cooked chicken back into the sauce. Stir to combine.
  4. Fold in the cooked pasta and toss everything together until well coated.
Serving
  1. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot.

Notes

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore some creaminess. For added flavor, consider using grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken if short on time.