Comforting Crack Chicken Pasta (Printable version)

Creamy ranch-seasoned pasta with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and melted cheeses ready in 40 minutes.

# Ingredient list:

→ Pasta & Chicken

01 - 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
03 - 5 slices bacon, chopped

→ Sauce

04 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
07 - 3/4 cup chicken broth
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 ounce)

→ Cheese

10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

→ To Finish

12 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, reserving approximately 1 tablespoon of drippings in the skillet.
03 - Add butter to the skillet with reserved bacon fat. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Add softened cream cheese and stir until melted. Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, and ranch seasoning. Whisk continuously until sauce is smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
05 - Stir in shredded cheddar and grated parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until completely melted and sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes.
06 - Add cooked chicken and half the crispy bacon to the sauce. Stir gently to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
08 - Divide among four serving plates. Top with remaining crispy bacon, sliced green onions, and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The ranch and cream cheese combo creates the most velvety sauce that somehow manages to feel rich without being overwhelming
  • Everything cooks in one skillet besides the pasta, meaning less cleanup and more time eating
  • The crispy bacon on top adds this perfect smoky crunch that cuts through all that creamy goodness
02 -
  • The sauce continues thickening as it stands off heat, so do not overcook it or you will end up with something closer to mac and cheese
  • Room temperature cream cheese incorporates much faster than cold, which prevents those annoying lumps
03 -
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well with a splash of cream or milk stirred in
  • The sauce works over baked potatoes or as a dip if you have extra

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