Crack Chicken Pasta is a fantastic 30 minute meal. The juicy chicken in creamy ranch sauce with pasta is a perfect combo. It’s addicting and so easy, you will want to make it again and again!
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Why this Crack Chicken Pasta Recipe is a Keeper
I love this crack chicken recipe because it’s really easy, quick and besides the noodles, it’s all made in one pot. It’s definitely one you will want to add to your stash of easy dinner recipes.
- Delicious Flavor: The creamy crack chicken spaghetti dish tastes amazing and is a hit every time.
- Consistent Results: This cheesy pasta recipe turns out well every time you make it.
- Great for Beginner Cooks: This super creamy delicious pasta recipe is super easy to make, making it approachable for both beginner and experienced cooks. You can easily slow cook in the crock pot or use the pressure cooker.
- Freezes Well: Crack chicken casserole is great for making ahead and freezing for later.
- Can Feed a Crowd: It can easily be scaled up to feed a large group, making it perfect for gatherings. Double the recipe if you need to.
- Comforting: It has a comforting, homey feel that makes you want to return to it.
Can I Make in the Crockpot or the Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta?
Yes! You can easily make slow cooker or crock pot chicken, or instant pot crack chicken pasta! Sauté your bacon, dump all ingredients including uncooked pasta, and cook.
Ingredient Notes for Crack Chicken Pasta
To make this crack chicken casserole recipe, you will need just a few easy ingredients. If you don’t already have these ingredients in your kitchen, they can all easily be found at the store.
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs are best for this recipe.
- Penne Pasta: Use penne and cook pasta according to the package directions.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions to Make Crack Chicken Pasta
When you prepare ingredients ahead of time, it can help save you time and kitchen space when it comes to making everything for dinner!
- Pre-Cooked Meats: To save some time, you can use pre cooked bacon! You can also pick up a rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep even more.
Pro Tip for Crack Chicken Penne Recipe
Prep a variety of different toppings to place on top of the crack chicken and display on the table.
How to Make Crack Chicken Penne
This juicy chicken in creamy sauce recipe comes together in 4 easy to follow steps. This creamy cheesy chicken is so good, you’ll come back to it again and again!
These are the basic steps for making Crack Chicken Pasta. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Cook Bacon
Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Cook Chicken and Cook the Pasta
Season the chopped plain chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken pieces to the hot bacon fat and cook the chicken until done. While chicken cooks, cook pasta and drain, but do not rinse. Remove the chicken to a clean plate.
3. Make Ranch Dressing Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth to the bacon grease skillet and simmer, then add the sour cream and cream cheese. Stir as the cream cheese melts and add a little more broth or milk to get a smooth consistency. Season with ranch seasoning.
4. Assemble All Ingredients
Chop the bacon. Save 1 tablespoon of the bacon and add the bacon bits remaining to the skillet, along with 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and the shredded chicken. Stir everything together then add the pasta to the pot and stir.
Sprinkle on remaining cheese, bacon and the green onions before serving.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store any leftover one-pot pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.
- Reheating: Reheat in individual portions in the microwave or heat the entire dish in the oven.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy leftovers with a little more cheddar cheese over the top.
Variations and Substitutions and Substitutions for Creamy Chicken Dinner Recipe
This crockpot crack chicken pasta recipe is super easy to customize to make it your own! Try taking it to the next level by trying different meats, cheeses, or making it with more veggies and flavors.
- Crack Seafood Pasta: Try this recipe with crab, shrimp or lobster.
- Different Cheeses: Try a parmesan or any of your other favorite cheeses.
- Add Vegetables: Spring peas, spinach, broccoli or mushroom really add a kick.
One-Pot Crack Chicken Recipe FAQs
Try serving Crock Pot Little Smokies, Orange Fluff Salad or Sour Cream Ranch Dip with vegetables.
Yes! Replace the chicken with tofu or chickpeas for a plant-based option.
Yes! Transfer delicious ranch crack chicken sauce leftovers to an airtight container that’s freezer safe. Frozen chicken pasta will be good for 3 months.
It’s called crack chicken because it’s just so good, it’s addicting!
Expert Tips for Making This Crack Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Dietary Consideration Tip: Use protein or gluten free pasta, lighten up the recipe with reduced fat dairy or fat free versions of this Crack Chicken Pasta.
- Spice it Up: Incorporate red pepper flakes or your favorite spices for a kick of heat.
- Done Chicken: Chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (approximately 6-8 minutes).
- Type of Pasta: You can try pasta like short pasta, spaghetti, macaroni or bowtie pasta.
Crack Chicken Pasta
Video
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Ingredients
- 5 slices Bacon
- 3 cups Boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon All purpose seasoning
- 3 cups Cooked pasta, Farfalle or Rotini work well
- 1 tablespoon Ranch seasoning
- 8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup Sour cream
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 Green onion, sliced thin
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon to your preferred level of doneness.
- Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Season the chopped chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the hot bacon grease and cook until browned all over and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (approximately 6-8 minutes).
- Meanwhile, prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain but do not rinse.
- Remove the chicken to a clean plate as you prepare the ranch sauce.
- Add the chicken broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then add the sour cream and cream cheese and stir as the cream cheese melts. Add a bit more broth or milk to achieve a smooth consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Season with ranch seasoning.
- Chop the bacon. Add all but a couple tablespoons of bacon to the skillet, along with 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese and shredded chicken. Stir to combine.
- Add the pasta and stir to coat.
- Sprinkle on remaining cheese, bacon and the green onions before serving.
Christina’s Notes
- Dietary Consideration Tip: Use protein or gluten free pasta, lighten up the recipe with reduced fat dairy or fat free versions.
- Spice it Up: Incorporate red pepper flakes or your favorite spices for a kick of heat.
- Done Chicken: Chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (approximately 6-8 minutes).
- Type of Pasta: You can try pasta like short pasta, spaghetti, macaroni or bowtie pasta.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
I need to cook this for the family.
Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe! In your video, you gave some make-ahead tips, including cooking the pasta the day before. How do you keep it from sticking together?
Place the pasta in a microwave safe bowl.
Add a small amount of water to the bowl. About 1-2 tablespoons per cup of pasta.
Cover the bowl loosely.
Microwave in short bursts, stirring between each burst.
Drain any excess water.
excellent love this a very good recipe 😋
Easy to follow recipe for a delicious meal! Thanks so much! I did add a .25 teaspoon of cayenne to the sauce for an extra kick. It kicked either way.
I’m already looking forward to making this pasta again. The whole family loved it.
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing crack chicken pasta recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!