I make this creamy crack chicken penne when the day runs long and the house feels loud. The sauce hugs every tube of pasta. The bacon adds a little crunch. The ranch brings a cozy tang. It lands on the table fast and it vanishes even faster. This sits in my list of Chicken Pasta Recipes that always work. It borrows comfort from Baked Chicken and the same tender bite you get from Baked Chicken Breast Recipes. Think Baked Pasta Recipes with real weeknight heart. I use boneless skinless chicken breast so the texture stays light. If you love Alfredo Pasta Recipes you will feel right at home here. Fans of Buffalo Chicken Casserole can add a spoon of hot sauce and smile. We cook. We laugh. We eat. Then we go back for a spoon more straight from the pan. I wrote this for Nancy Cooks so you can bookmark it and make it often. Simple steps. Short list. Big comfort.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake
4) How to Make Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake
5) Tips for Making Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake
6) Making Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake
8) Try these pasta dinners next
9) Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Comfort meets speed with a creamy bake that fits busy nights and relaxed weekends.
Boneless skinless chicken stays tender and the ranch brings bright flavor without fuss.
Penne holds sauce well so each bite tastes rich and balanced.
Simple pantry items build reliable Chicken Pasta Recipes for repeat use.

2) Easy Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake Recipe

I cook this on nights when time runs short and appetites run high. Chicken Pasta Recipes sit on my fridge list and this one leads the pack. Chicken Pasta Recipes work when we need comfort and a quick win. The creamy sauce clings to every ridge. Bacon crackles. Ranch lifts the whole pan. We eat and the table goes quiet in the best way.

I write from a small kitchen and a happy mess. I test the steps so you can relax. Nancy from Nancy Cooks at https://www.nancycooks.com keeps the method short and the flavor deep. You boil water. You brown chicken. You stir cheese until it melts smooth. The rest feels like autopilot.

This dish loves subs. Swap penne for rigatoni. Use leftover roast chicken. Skip the heat or add a little. The bones of the recipe stay firm. The mood stays cozy. Short list. Big pay off. That is dinner done right.

3) Ingredients for Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake

Boneless skinless chicken breast small cubes cook fast and stay juicy which suits easy chicken pasta dinners and supports a clean bite.

Kosher salt and black pepper a steady base that lets ranch and cheese speak without noise.

Garlic powder quick to use when fresh cloves sit out of reach and the pan still needs warm depth.

Olive oil a thin coat helps browning and keeps the chicken tender.

Penne short tubes hold creamy sauce in the center so every forkful lands rich and even which suits chicken pasta ideas that please kids and grownups.

Bacon crisp pieces add texture and a light smoky note that plays well with ranch.

Low sodium chicken broth lifts the fond and thins the sauce to the right pour.

Heavy cream gives body and a soft finish that feels comforting but not heavy.

Cream cheese melts smooth and helps the sauce coat the pasta without breaking.

Ranch seasoning a quick path to herbs and tang that keeps the flavor bright.

Mozzarella melts into long pulls and creates a glossy top.

Parmesan sharp and nutty which balances the cream and adds a savory finish.

Parsley fresh green at the end for color and a clean note.

4) How to Make Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake

Step 1 Boil bring a big pot of salted water to a steady roll then cook penne until just tender. Save a small cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.

Step 2 Brown warm olive oil in a wide pan. Season chicken with salt pepper and garlic powder. Cook until the edges turn golden and the centers read done then move to a plate.

Step 3 Crisp cook bacon until crunchy. Spoon it out. Keep the drippings in the pan for flavor.

Step 4 Build pour in broth and scrape the browned bits. Stir in cream and cream cheese until smooth. Shake in ranch. Add mozzarella and parmesan and stir until glossy.

Step 5 Combine heat the oven to 190 C. Toss pasta and chicken with the sauce. Add a little pasta water if the mix feels tight.

Step 6 Bake spread in a baking dish. Top with bacon and a light sprinkle of cheese. Bake until it bubbles and smells rich.

Step 7 Finish rest five minutes. Scatter parsley. Serve warm and enjoy easy weeknight chicken pasta.

5) Tips for Making Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake

Cut even cubes so the chicken cooks at the same pace. Small pieces take flavor fast and stay tender. That helps a family chicken pasta meal feel both quick and steady.

Season the pasta water well. The noodles should taste pleasant on their own. That base lets the sauce shine without extra salt at the end.

Watch the sauce. When it turns smooth and coats the spoon you are there. If it looks thick loosen it with a small splash of pasta water. If it looks thin let it simmer a minute.

6) Making Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake Ahead of Time

Cook the pasta one minute shy of tender. That way it holds shape after a rest. Toss it with a small spoon of oil so it does not stick. This keeps Chicken Pasta Recipes ready for fast assembly later.

Prepare the sauce and chill it in a lidded container. Reheat it low and slow and stir until smooth. Add a small splash of broth to bring back the shine.

Hold bacon and parsley for serving. The texture stays crisp and the color stays bright. Assemble and bake when you need an easy pan that feeds a crowd.

7) Storing Leftover Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake

Cool leftovers then place them in a tight container. The pasta stays pleasant for up to two days. The sauce loosens with a spoon of broth during reheat.

Warm on the stove over gentle heat and stir often so the sauce stays creamy. A brief rest helps the heat move through the pan without clumping.

Add fresh parsley and a little parmesan before serving. That last touch brings back the look and the aroma we love.

8) Try these pasta dinners next

9) Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Bake