CRACK CHICKEN PENNE
Ingredients
6 slices smoked bacon cut into ½-inch diced pieces, divided into ¼ cup, and remainder
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts approximately 1 pound, cut into 1-inch cubes
½ cup chopped yellow onion
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 ounce packet of Ranch seasoning
4 cups chicken stock
½ pound penne pasta
6 ounces of cream cheese
10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
8 ounce block of Colby jack cheese shredded, divided into 1½ cups and ½ cup
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley divided in half
Instructions
In a large 12-inch skillet, on medium heat, add the diced bacon and cook for 9-11 minutes or until the fat has been rendered and the bacon pieces are crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve ¼ cup of the cooked bacon for garnish. Set aside all the bacon. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the skillet.
6 slices smoked bacon
On medium-high heat, add the cubed boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced yellow onion, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned. The chicken may not be all the way cooked through. That is fine because the chicken will continue to cook with the pasta.
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts,½ cup chopped yellow onion,½ teaspoon salt,¼ teaspoon black pepper
Once the chicken has been lightly browned and the onions are tender, add the ranch seasoning and chicken stock. Bring the chicken stock to a boil, then add the penne pasta. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with the lid, and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
1 ounce packet of Ranch seasoning,4 cups chicken stock,½ pound penne pasta
Remove the lid from the skillet and stir in the cream cheese and cream of chicken soup until fully combined and no lumps remain.
6 ounces of cream cheese,10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
Add 1½ cups of the shredded Colby jack cheese, the cooked bacon pieces (except for the reserved ¼ cup), and 1 tablespoon of the chopped fresh parsley. Stir to combine.
8 ounce block of Colby jack cheese
Top the crack chicken penne with the remaining ½ cup shredded Colby jack cheese (do not stir in) and cover the skillet again with the lid for 3-4 minutes or just until the cheese has melted on top.
Remove the lid and garnish the melted cheese with the reserved ¼ cup of bacon and the remaining 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley.
6 slices smoked bacon,2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley