Description
Baked crack chicken penne delivers pure comfort in a single casserole that brings friends and family together around the dinner table. Creamy pasta with tender chicken creates a crowd-pleasing meal your loved ones will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish and Seasoning:
- ½ cup bacon bits
- 2 chopped green onions
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat your oven to exactly 350°F, ensuring the rack is centered for even cooking.
- Boil 12 ounces penne pasta in salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly.
- Blend 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1 cup ranch dressing, and 1 cup cheddar cheese until completely smooth.
- Fold 2 cups shredded chicken, ½ cup bacon bits, and 2 chopped green onions into the creamy mixture.
- Season the mixture with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, stirring carefully to distribute evenly.
- Incorporate drained pasta into the mixture, ensuring every noodle gets coated with the creamy sauce.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Bake at 350°F for exactly 22 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set.
Notes
- Swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a lighter version that still keeps the dish creamy and rich.
- For gluten-free needs, replace regular penne with chickpea or rice pasta to maintain the same delicious texture.
- Prep your chicken ahead of time by using rotisserie chicken or slow-cooking chicken breasts for extra tenderness and convenience.
- Consider adding a crispy breadcrumb topping before baking to create an extra layer of texture and golden-brown crunch on top of the cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 670 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg