Get ready for a flavor explosion with our One-Pot Crack Chicken Pasta recipe! This creamy, cheesy pasta is a crowd-pleaser that will leave you craving more. With tender pasta, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and a ranch-infused cheese sauce, every bite is pure comfort. Plus, it’s all made in one pot, saving you time and effort in the kitchen. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Try it tonight and get hooked on the flavors!
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Pin This RecipeOne-Pot Chicken Pasta
Stop what you are doing and add this One-Pot Crack Chicken Pasta recipe to your menu. This creamy, cheesy pasta is a crowd-pleaser that will have you coming back for seconds and thirds. The combination of tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy cheesy ranch-infused sauce creates a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds sing. Plus, the convenience of making it all in just one pot means less time spent in the kitchen and more time enjoying this meal. The pasta cooks in the pot with all the sauce and chicken, making it super flavorful! So whether you’re feeding a hungry family or hosting a casual get-together, pasta is the ultimate comfort food that will leave everyone begging for the recipe.
What does CRACK mean?
If a recipe has “crack” in the title it means that the recipe has cheddar, bacon, and ranch in the ingredients. It all started with my Crack Dip way back in 2007. I made the dip for a Titans football game. Everyone went crazy over it. We couldn’t stop eating it and said it was like crack. The name stuck.
According to the dictionary, the definition of crack is “of superior excellence or ability”. We think the flavor combination of cheddar, bacon, and ranch fits this definition! This recipe is most definitely of superior excellence!
How to Make One-Pot Chicken Pasta
This pasta is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and black pepper, if desired. Add cubed chicken to the skillet and cook for 4 or 5 minutes, until golden brown. Add cooked bacon, ranch dressing mix, cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup to the pan. Stir well. Add chicken broth. Stir in pasta. Bring the chicken mixture to a boil. Reduce to medium heat, cover the pan, and simmer until the pasta is tender. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and cook until the cheese has melted. Garnish the pasta with fresh parsley or green onions.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- You can use any boneless skinless chicken you have on hand. Chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins all work fine.
- Can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for raw chicken.
- I use precooked bacon. I buy large bags of it at Sams Club or Costco.
- Substitute turkey bacon for lower calories.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix made with buttermilk powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
- If you are sensitive to ranch seasoning, adjust the amount to your personal preference.
- Use spicy ranch mix to add a kick to the pasta.
- I recommend using Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-cream-of-chicken-soup/
- Can substitute cream of mushroom soup.
- Use unsalted or low-sodium chicken broth to control the sodium in the dish.
- Variations/Additions:
- spinach
- tomatoes
- broccoli
- red peppers
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Add a splash of heavy cream or milk if the pasta is too thick.
What to Serve with Creamy Chicken Pasta
This one-pot pasta has quickly become a family favorite. It is a guaranteed hit that will have you hooked from the very first bite! When it comes to what to serve alongside this delicious pasta, I’ve got some great suggestions. First up, some crispy green beans or asparagus. If you’re in the mood for some more carbs on the side (because who isn’t?), warm and buttery garlic bread or cheesy garlic knots are a match made in heaven. The bread will help you soak up every last bit of that irresistible sauce. For a lighter option, you can never go wrong with a green salad and homemade dressing. So grab a fork, dig into this creamy chicken pasta, and savor the deliciousness.
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One-Pot Crack Chicken Pasta
Ingredients:
- 2 -lb raw chicken tenderloins
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup cooked chopped bacon
- 1 (1-oz) package ranch dressing mix
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese softened
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (16-oz) package penne pasta uncooked
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Season chicken with salt and black pepper, if desired. Cut tenderloins into bite-size pieces.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add chicken and cook until golden brown. .
- Add cooked bacon, ranch dressing mix, cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup. Stir well.
- Add chicken broth and penne pasta.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. Cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes, until the pasta is tender.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese to the pot. Stir and cook until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
Notes:
- You can use any boneless skinless chicken you have on hand. Chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins all work fine.
- Can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for raw chicken.
- I use precooked bacon. I buy large bags of it at Sams Club or Costco.
- Substitute turkey bacon for lower calories.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix made with buttermilk powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
- If you are sensitive to ranch seasoning, adjust the amount to your personal preference.
- Use spicy ranch mix to add a kick to the pasta.
- I suggest using Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup in this dish to control the sodium.
- You can buy it by the case at Amazon: https://amzn.to/49n4uZE
- Need Gluten-free Cream of Chicken Soup? You can buy it here: https://amzn.to/3MtqQ1s
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-cream-of-chicken-soup/
- Can substitute cream of mushroom soup.
- Use unsalted or low-sodium chicken broth to control the sodium in the dish.
- Variations/Additions:
- spinach
- artichokes
- tomatoes
- broccoli
- red peppers
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Add a splash of heavy cream or milk if the pasta is too thick.
Steph
Remember this recipe.
Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!
Pin This Recipe
