Description
A rich, savory Crack Chicken Penne recipe featuring tender chicken, creamy sauce, and earthy mushrooms, making it a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces button or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley and lemon juice for garnish
Instructions
- Boil a pot of salted water and cook the penne until al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat, add diced chicken, and cook until browned. Add mushrooms and sauté until tender.
- Reduce heat, mix in cream cheese until melted, then gradually stir in heavy cream and ranch dressing mix. Let it simmer, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
- Stir in the cooked penne and cheddar cheese until evenly coated and melted.
- Finish with herbs, lemon juice, and extra cheese if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Customize with more vegetables or reduce cheese for a healthier option. Best served with a side salad or garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing & Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Crack Chicken, Pasta, Comfort Food, Chicken Recipe, Family Meal