Hey I am Nancy and I love a big bowl of comfort. This one sits squarely in Chicken Pasta Recipes territory. Think tender penne and saucy chicken with a cozy ranch cheddar glow. We eat and we grin. I pulled tricks I use for Alfredo Pasta Recipes and Best Pasta Sauce, then leaned into Baked Pasta Recipes energy. We use juicy pieces like in Baked Chicken Breast Recipes and keep it simple like Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Recipes. It smells creamy and a little garlicky. The sauce hugs every ridge. We twirl a fork and the day chills out. Nice, right
Table of Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways
- 2 Easy Chicken Penne Recipe
- 3 Ingredients for Chicken Penne
- 4 How to Make Chicken Penne
- 5 Tips for Making Chicken Penne
- 6 Making Chicken Penne Ahead of Time
- 7 Storing Leftover Chicken Penne
- 8 Try these Main Course next
- 9 Chicken Penne
- 10 Nutrition
1 Key Takeaways
I cook for real life. I chase dinners that land fast and taste rich. Chicken penne fits that plan. The sauce feels cozy and the texture stays tender. We use pantry friends and a few fridge staples. The method stays simple. The flavor carries warmth. This dish feeds both weeknights and company with the same smile.
I lean on cream cheese for body and ranch seasoning for pop. A little broth keeps things smooth. Cheddar brings a mellow pull. Bacon drops crisp bits that make the fork pause. Pasta water fixes thickness. Salt lifts the whole pot. I keep each move small. The payoff feels big.
We plate and breathe. Steam rises. Garlic drifts. The bowl gives comfort without fuss. If you love Chicken Pasta Recipes you will find this one friendly and flexible. Nancy at Nancy Cooks signs off with clean plates and happy silence. That is the goal most nights, right
2 Easy Chicken Penne Recipe
I reach for Chicken Pasta Recipes when the day runs wild and the clock does not blink. Chicken Pasta Recipes keep me sane and fed. This pot leans creamy and bright. We use cooked chicken and short pasta. The sauce grips every ridge. The bite stays tender. I share the steps I repeat on busy Tuesdays and on slow Sundays when I still want ease.
The bowl smells like garlic and warm cheddar. I hear a gentle bubble in the pan and I relax. The sauce looks smooth and glossy. Each spoonful coats the back of a spoon. It feels like a hug in food form. That is the charm of creamy chicken pasta which belongs to the family of comforting chicken pasta ideas that never go out of season.
We keep tools light. One deep skillet takes us home. I stir and taste. The salt sits right. The pepper wakes things up. I add bacon for crunch. Fresh parsley gives a clean finish. On my site Nancy Cooks I say this a lot. Cook with calm hands. Let the food guide you. Then plate and enjoy a one pot chicken pasta dinner that invites seconds.
3 Ingredients for Chicken Penne
Cooked chicken I keep leftover roasted chicken or I grab a rotisserie bird. The meat shreds with ease. White meat stays tidy. Dark meat brings extra flavor. Both work. This gives protein without guesswork. That is why weeknight chicken pasta feels doable.
Penne pasta Short tubes catch sauce in the center. Ridges hold more flavor. Any brand works. I salt the water well. Pasta should taste seasoned before it meets the skillet. Penne pasta keeps a pleasant bite that plays nice with a creamy sauce.
Cream cheese This soft block melts into silk. It thickens the sauce without long simmer time. The taste reads mild and friendly. It lets the ranch and cheddar shine. Easy creamy chicken penne starts right here with this base.
Ranch seasoning A small packet adds herbs and a little tang. It saves time. It ties the sauce to the chicken. It tastes familiar in a good way. I keep a few packets in the pantry for nights when I crave ranch chicken comfort.
Cheddar cheese Sharp cheddar melts smooth and carries a gentle bite. It pulls into strands when hot. It sets as it cools but stays soft. I shred it fresh to dodge clumps. This gives creamy pasta a mellow kick.
Bacon Salty crisp bits add contrast. I cook it until the edges turn deep brown and the fat renders. I chop it small. A little goes a long way. The crunch lifts every bite and keeps the bowl from feeling flat.
Chicken broth A half cup makes the sauce fluid. It loosens the cream cheese and carries the ranch. If the sauce tightens near the end I add a splash more. Broth plus pasta water gives the best texture.
Heavy cream A small pour gives body and helps the sauce cling. It smooths the ranch edges. It rounds the cheddar. The result feels silky. The spoon glides without drag.
Olive oil onion garlic These start the party. Oil warms the pan. Onion softens and sweetens. Garlic perfumes the room. This trio lays a base that makes simple sauce taste slow cooked.
Salt pepper parsley Salt seasons the water and the sauce. Pepper adds a gentle bite. Fresh parsley brings color and a clean finish. Small moves but they matter.
4 How to Make Chicken Penne
Step one Boil the penne in well salted water until it reaches al dente. Scoop a cup of pasta water and set it aside. Drain the rest. The noodles should feel tender with a slight bite. This gives structure when the sauce goes in.
Step two Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and stir until soft and light gold. Add garlic and stir for a short minute until fragrant. The pan should smell inviting. No dark spots. Keep the heat steady.
Step three Drop in cream cheese and the ranch seasoning. Stir until the cheese softens into the oil and the onion. Pour in broth and cream. Stir until smooth and silky. If the sauce looks tight add a splash of pasta water. The spoon should leave a light trail.
Step four Add the cooked chicken bacon and half of the cheddar. Stir until the cheese melts. Taste. Add salt and black pepper if you want more lift. The sauce should taste balanced and warm with herbs.
Step five Toss the penne into the skillet. Stir to coat every piece. If the sauce feels heavy add more pasta water in small splashes. The goal is a glossy coat that clings. Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar. Let it melt. Finish with chopped parsley.
5 Tips for Making Chicken Penne
Salt the water with intent. Pasta that starts seasoned ends better. Use a wide skillet so the sauce spreads thin and reduces fast. Keep heat at a steady medium to avoid scorched bits. Stir with calm hands and taste often.
Shred cheese from a block. Pre shredded bags carry starch and the melt turns clumpy. Save a scoop of pasta water every time. That scoop rescues sauces and makes creamy chicken pasta feel restaurant level. Small moves build big comfort.
Let the pot rest for a minute before serving. Sauce settles and thickens slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley for color and a clean finish. For a family friendly chicken pasta plan, serve with a simple green salad and a slice of toasted bread.
6 Making Chicken Penne Ahead of Time
I make parts in the morning and finish at dinner. I cook pasta and toss it with a little oil to prevent sticking. I chill it in a covered bowl. I mix the sauce base without the cheddar then cool it. At night I warm the base add cheddar and finish with pasta and a splash of water.
You can cook the bacon ahead as well. Keep it in a small container lined with a paper towel to hold crisp texture. Chop parsley close to serving so it stays bright. If the sauce thickens too much on the reheat use broth and pasta water to find that silky flow.
For gatherings I scale the recipe with ease. A larger skillet or a dutch oven helps. I stir gently to keep penne intact. The flavor holds. The texture stays friendly. On busy weeks I pack portions for lunch. This sits well in a container and warms fast.
7 Storing Leftover Chicken Penne
Cool leftovers to room temp then pack in airtight containers. Label the date if that helps your fridge routine. The pasta stays happy for three to four days. The sauce may set a touch. That is normal for creamy sauces and it fixes fast with a small splash of water.
Reheat in a skillet over low heat. Add a spoon of water or broth and stir until the sauce loosens. The steam returns the shine. The pasta wakes up again. If you want more lift add a pinch of ranch or a sprinkle of cheddar. Keep it simple and taste as you go.
For the freezer I prefer the sauce alone. Make the sauce and cool it. Freeze in flat bags. Thaw in the fridge and warm in a pan with fresh pasta. This keeps texture neat and gives you an easy path to comforting chicken pasta on short notice.
8 Try these Main Course next
9 Chicken Penne
Creamy Chicken Penne Chicken Pasta Recipes You Will Make Again
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3/4 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil penne in salted water until al dente. Drain and save a little pasta water.
- Warm olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook until soft.
- Drop in cream cheese and ranch. Stir until smooth.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir until the sauce looks silky.
- Add chicken, half the bacon, and cheddar. Stir until the cheese melts.
- Toss in the pasta. Splash in a bit of pasta water if the sauce looks tight.
- Taste. Add salt and pepper. Top with the rest of the bacon and parsley. Serve hot.
10 Nutrition
Portion size sits at about one generous cup. A serving offers a steady mix of protein carbs and fat. Expect around six hundred calories with the ratios shifting based on cheese and bacon. Sodium depends on your seasoning and the brand of ranch. For lighter fare use light cream cheese and lean chicken and hold a little cheddar.
I treat this as a comfort meal that still fits everyday life. Pair with greens and fruit to round things out. Drink water and call it dinner. If you track numbers, weigh pasta before cooking for the most consistent result. Let your plan guide your bowl and enjoy the cozy calm that follows.
For readers who search for Chicken Pasta Recipes this plate checks the boxes. It tastes rich without being heavy on effort. It uses common items and comes together with a single pan and a pot. That is home cooking that we can repeat with joy.
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