This one pan crack chicken pasta is crazy delicious. It combines tender chicken, bacon, and ranch seasoning with pasta noodles and melty shredded cheese to create one addictive dish. Not to mention, it's so, so easy to make too. In fact, it takes just 10 minutes to prep, and 4 simple steps are all you need to follow to make it.
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The Best Crack Chicken Pasta
This crack chicken pasta recipe has its name for a reason. The combination of flavors is as addictive as it gets, and once you take one bite of it, you'll be hooked.
There's really no other pasta recipe quite like this one. This crack chicken pasta takes the trio of chicken, bacon, and ranch deliciousness to another level by smothering it in a creamy sauce with pasta and loads of cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
I mean, how incredible does that sound?
It's seriously so good, and after you have it for the first time, you'll be craving it every night!
Plus, as I alluded to earlier, it takes practically no time at all to make and everything in this recipe cooks in just one pan.
By the way, if you're looking for a tasty side to pair with this pasta, I recommend making this Little Caesars crazy bread or these candied carrots to go along with it. My family loves it when we do.
Ingredients
This crack chicken pasta is made entirely with pantry/kitchen staples. Honestly, you probably have the most - if not all - of them at home already.
Anyway, here's what you'll need to make this crack chicken pasta recipe:
- 4 bacon strips
- ½ pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tbsp. ranch seasoning
- 4 oz. short pasta like rigatoni and penne pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 oz. cream cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley to serve
Pretty simple stuff, right?
Also, just so you know, you can use almost every single one of these ingredients to make this crack chicken chili, crack chicken casserole, and this crack chicken soup. So, if you end up with some leftover ingredients put 'em to good use and make one of those recipes next.
Ingredient Substitutions and Suggestions
While I recommend making this crack chicken pasta as written, I do have a few suggestions for you if you'd like to make some substitutions.
For instance, if you have some leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken at home, you can use it in this recipe. It saves a little time, and you also get to use up those leftovers. Also, if you have to go to the store - and want to cut down on time it'll take to make this crack chicken pasta - you can just buy a rotisserie chicken and use that for the chicken. Or, if you have extra time, you can make this ranch chicken and really enhance the flavors of this dish!
Speaking of chicken, you can also use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts if you'd prefer to. I've done this several times in the past, and the recipe turns out just as good.
Now, for the pasta, I like to use rigatoni, but any small noodle pasta - like penne pasta - will work great. You can also use gluten free pasta if you'd like, and this creamy chicken pasta will be just as delicious.
As far as the ranch seasoning mix goes I recommend using the Hidden Valley ranch packets if you can find them. They're definitely the most flavor packed ranch seasoning packets out that you can buy in the store. With that said though, any ranch seasoning packet will work if you can't find the Hidden Valley ones.
Also, for what it's worth, if you have the ranch mix, you can also use it to make this chicken tater tot casserole recipe. So it's worth stocking up on some!
How to Make Crack Chicken Pasta
Alright, so as I mentioned before, this crack chicken pasta recipe is really simple to make.
The process is basically just crisping the bacon, cooking the chicken and the pasta, and then combining/cooking everything in a creamy sauce. Also, the entire process of making it takes place in just one skillet, so not only is making it a breeze, but clean-up is too.
With that said, let's not waste another second and get cooking!
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
First, you'll want to start by cooking the bacon. So, to do that, you'll want to take out a large non-stick skillet and put it over medium heat.
Then, add the bacon strips to it and cook for a few minutes on each side until they're browned and nice and crispy. Once the bacon is crispy you can remove the bacon and set it aside.
By the way, you'll want to keep the bacon grease in the skillet after you remove the bacon from it. The grease will work great to cook the chicken in next.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Now it's time to cook the chicken.
So, to do that you'll want to add the chicken to the skillet with the bacon grease in it and cook it for a few minutes on each side until it's golden brown. The chicken doesn't have to be fully cooked as it will continue cooking throughout the rest of the recipe.
Anyway, once the chicken is golden you can add the ranch seasoning to it and mix the two together until they combine.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
Now you can add the uncooked pasta of your choice to the skillet along with the chicken broth and bring the broth to a boil. Then, once everything starts boiling you can reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook everything together for around 20 minutes.
Step 4: Make The Creamy Sauce
After 20 minutes is up, you'll want to add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese to the skillet, and mix everything together until the cheese melts. Then, when the cheese melts you'll just want to let the crack chicken pasta cook for a few more minutes - just until everything's dissolves into a rich, creamy sauce.
Lastly, you can break the cooked bacon strips up with your hands and top the creamy chicken pasta with it, along with some more shredded cheese. Serve the pasta immediately after doing so, and enjoy!
How to Store Crack Chicken Pasta
This recipe for crack chicken pasta makes 4 delicious servings. And, it's honestly so good that you might want to double - or triple - the recipe if you're planning on serving this for a family dinner. I can almost guarantee everyone will want seconds!
On the off chance you end up with leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
How to Reheat Crack Chicken Pasta
Once you get the craving for this crack chicken pasta again - and trust me, it won't take long - you can easily reheat it.
The best way to reheat this cracked chicken pasta is by putting it back in a skillet and cook it over medium heat with a little bit of broth. Just heat everything up for a few minutes, constantly stirring it until it reaches your desired temperature.
With that said, the fastest way to reheat crack chicken pasta is in the microwave. Just heat it in 30-minute increments stirring better each one until it's heated through.
Wrapping It Up
Well, that how to make crack chicken pasta!
I know I'm biased, but I think this is one of the best easy chicken pasta recipes out there. From the ranch-seasoned chicken and bits of bacon to the ultra-creamy and cheesy sauce, chicken pasta doesn't get much better than this. Seriously, next time you need an easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love, give this recipe a shot. It's a hit everytime we make it at our house.
Anyway, I hope you and your family enjoy this crack chicken pasta recipe as much as I/we do.
As always, if you give this recipe a try, let me know how it went in the comments below.
More Pasta Recipes
Are you looking for even more delicious pasta recipes?
Well, if you are, we have a ton on the blog you can try next!
Here are some of our favorites:
- Creamy salmon pasta
- Curry shrimp pasta
- Spinach pasta
- Chicken pesto pasta
- Stuffed shells with meat
- Trenette al pesto
- Shrimp alfredo pasta
Also, for even more deliciousness, be sure to follow us on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. We post new recipes on them every single day.
PrintOne Pan Crack Chicken Pasta Recipe (Takes Just 10 Minutes To Prep)
This one pan crack chicken pasta is crazy delicious. It combines tender chicken, bacon, and ranch seasoning with pasta noodles and melty shredded cheese to create one addictive dish. Not to mention, it's so, so easy to make too. In fact, it takes just 10 minutes to prep, and 4 simple steps are all you need to follow to make it.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Pasta
Ingredients
4 bacon strips
½ pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 tbsp. ranch seasoning
4 oz. short pasta like rigatoni and penne pasta
3 cups chicken broth
2 oz. cream cheese
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
Fresh parsley to serve
Instructions
- Heat a non-stick skillet to medium and add the bacon strips. Cook until crispy and browned, and remove the bacon, keeping the grease in the skillet.
- Add the chicken and cook for a few minutes or until golden brown. Add the ranch seasoning and mix to combine.
- Add the pasta and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let it simmer covered for 20 minutes.
- Add the cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella cheese, and mix. Cook for a few more minutes, just until everything's dissolved. Give everything another mix to combine.
- Break the bacon strips with your hands and serve over the pasta with more cheese on top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 443
- Fat: 23
- Carbohydrates: 23
- Protein: 37
Keywords: crack chicken pasta, crack chicken pasta recipe, how to make crack chicken pasta, cracked chicken pasta, cracked chicken pasta recipe, best crack chicken pasta, easy crack chicken pasta, crack chicken pasta recipe stove top
Karen
My husband devoured this pasta.
★★★★★