Description
This Crack Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful pasta dish that’s incredibly addictive and easy to make. It combines the best flavors of crack chicken with perfectly cooked penne pasta for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 400g (14oz) Penne Pasta
- 500g (1.1lb) Chicken Breast, Cubed
- 2 Tbsp (30ml) Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp (15ml) Butter
- 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
- 1 tsp (5ml) Smoked Paprika
- 0.5 tsp (2.5ml) Ground Cumin
- 0.5 tsp (2.5ml) Salt
- 0.25 tsp (1.25ml) Black Pepper
- 200ml (¾ cup) Chicken Broth, Low-Sodium
- 120ml (½ cup) Heavy Cream
- 150g (5.3oz) Cream Cheese, Softened
- 100g (3.5oz) Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
- 50g (½ cup) Parmesan Cheese, Grated
- 1 tsp (5ml) Dijon Mustard
- 1 tsp (5ml) Honey
- 1 Tbsp (15ml) Lemon Juice
- 2 Tbsp (30ml) Pine Nuts, Toasted
- 2 Tbsp (8g) Parsley, Chopped
- 0.5 Lemon, Zested
- 1 Tbsp (15ml) Garlic-Infused Olive Oil
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil penne until al dente, reserving ½ cup pasta water. Drain.
- Sear Chicken: Season and sear cubed chicken in olive oil until cooked through.
- Bloom Spices: Sauté garlic, smoked paprika, and cumin in butter until fragrant.
- Create Sauce Base: Whisk in chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Emulsify Sauce: Stir in heavy cream, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, and honey until smooth.
- Add Cheese: Stir in cheddar and half of the Parmesan until melted.
- Combine & Bake: Return chicken to skillet, add pasta, and toss. Transfer to a baking dish.
- Golden Finish: Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and bake until bubbly and browned.
- Rest & Garnish: Let rest for 5 minutes before garnishing and serving.
Notes
For a smoother sauce, ensure cream cheese is fully softened. Adjust spice levels to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg