Description

This meal is called "crack" because it is so addicting because it's loaded with tons of flavor. It's one of those recipes that makes the perfect weeknight dish. Serve it with a salad and your favorite vegetable, if desired.

Ingredients

• 4 slices thick cut bacon
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small bite size pieces
• 1 oz. Ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix (1 packet or 2 T.)
• 8 oz. penne uncooked
• 3 1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth/stock
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 2 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 T. fresh parsley, chopped

Steps

1. Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven until crispy; remove some of the fat, leaving about 1 T. fat; drain bacon on paper towels; chop bacon into bits.
2. In the same pot, add chicken; cook for about 3 minutes over medium-high heat, until it starts to brown on the outside but still pink on the inside and uncooked. Add Ranch seasoning mix; stir, making sure each chicken piece is coated.
3. Add penne, chicken broth/stock; stir; bring to a boil; reduce to a low heat; cover; cook 15 - 20 minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot. There should still be some liquid in the pot when it's done cooking. Add more broth/stock, if needed.