Easy Chicken Penne Recipe – Creamy, Cheesy, and Totally Addictive!

Posted on October 15, 2025

Close-up of creamy Chicken Penne Pasta topped with melted cheese — an easy, flavorful dish from the best Penne Recipes and Chicken Casserole Dishes collection, perfect for quick Dinner Dishes.

Every home cook has that one recipe that saves their sanity — the one that pleases the whole family, doesn’t require a ton of ingredients, and still tastes like something straight off a restaurant menu.

For me, that’s this Chicken Penne Pasta. It started as a lazy-night experiment with leftover chicken and half a block of cream cheese (you know the one that’s been eyeing you from the back of the fridge). I tossed in some ranch seasoning and boom — culinary magic.

Before I knew it, the family dubbed it “the crack pasta.” And honestly? Fair. It’s creamy, cheesy, and dangerously hard to stop eating.

Why You’ll Be Obsessed with This Recipe

Here’s the deal — this dish checks all the boxes.

Fast and foolproof: Ready in 30 minutes flat. Perfect for when hunger strikes and takeout isn’t an option.
Crowd-pleaser status: Kids, adults, even your picky cousin who “doesn’t like pasta” (lies) will devour this.
One-pan magic: Fewer dishes, more comfort. That’s the motto.
Ridiculously satisfying: Cream cheese + cheddar + ranch = the holy trinity of cozy food.

If you love Chicken Casserole Dishes but hate the long bake times, this is your new go-to. It’s got that same hearty, creamy vibe — without the waiting.

What Makes This Recipe So Addictive

Let’s break down why this Chicken Penne deserves a standing ovation.

First, the sauce. It’s a luscious combo of melted cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and chicken broth — rich but not heavy, tangy yet comforting. Then there’s the cheddar cheese that melts right into it, coating every noodle like a silky blanket of happiness.

And the best part? It’s one of those Chicken Penne Recipes you can tweak endlessly — extra veggies, spicy version, or baked-style casserole. It’s the dinner that keeps on giving.

Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why They Matter)

Here’s your delicious lineup:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – Juicy and tender, these are the MVP of this dish. You can use thighs too if you want extra flavor.
Penne Pasta – Holds sauce like a champ. Seriously, penne is the Beyoncé of short pasta shapes.
Cream Cheese – The key to that silky, rich texture that makes this one of the creamiest Chicken Dishes Recipes you’ll ever make.
Ranch Seasoning Mix – The secret ingredient. It adds tang, herbs, and just enough salt to make everything pop.
Chicken Broth – Thins the sauce and deepens the flavor. Go low-sodium if you like controlling your salt levels.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese – For that gooey, cheesy, melty moment we all crave.

Optional but highly encouraged: fresh parsley for a little green glam on top.

How to Make This Easy Chicken Penne

Let’s get cooking — this one’s as straightforward as it gets.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Add your penne and cook until al dente (firm but tender). Drain it, set it aside, and try not to eat it straight from the pot.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

While the pasta’s doing its thing, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add some oil and toss in the diced chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until golden brown and cooked through — about 6–8 minutes.

Step 3: Build That Creamy Sauce

Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning, then slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring. You’ll get a dreamy, creamy sauce that smells like heaven.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Add the cooked penne straight into the skillet. Toss it around like you mean it so every noodle gets coated in that luscious sauce.

Step 5: The Grand Finale — Cheese

Sprinkle shredded cheddar on top, cover, and let it melt. You’ll know it’s ready when everything looks gooey and golden.

Serve immediately and prepare for applause.

Pro Tips for the Best Chicken Penne Ever

✨ Don’t skip the salt water for pasta. It’s your only chance to season the noodles from the inside out.
✨ Use softened cream cheese. It melts better and avoids lumps in your sauce.
✨ Too thick? Add a splash of chicken broth or milk. Too thin? Toss in a bit more cheddar.
✨ Make it fancy. Add crispy bacon bits, sun-dried tomatoes, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.

Variations to Try

Because this recipe is basically your blank canvas of comfort food bliss:

Baked Chicken Penne: Transfer everything to a casserole dish, top with extra cheese and breadcrumbs, and bake until bubbly. Perfect for Chicken Recipes Casserole fans.
Veggie Boost: Add spinach, mushrooms, or roasted broccoli for some color and extra nutrients.
Spicy Ranch Twist: Toss in buffalo sauce or jalapeños for a kick.
Bacon Ranch Deluxe: Add crumbled bacon for an over-the-top flavor bomb.

This is why it’s one of my favorite Dinner Dishes — totally customizable and endlessly satisfying.

How to Serve Your Creamy Chicken Penne

This dish is rich, hearty, and creamy, so it pairs perfectly with something fresh and crisp:

Garlic bread (obviously).
A side salad with lemon vinaigrette.
Roasted veggies for a complete comfort meal.

Want to get fancy? Serve it in shallow bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a few grinds of black pepper. Boom — instant restaurant vibes.

How to Store & Reheat

You’ll probably want leftovers (or maybe not — it tends to disappear fast). But if you do:

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: It keeps for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: Warm it gently on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce.

Pro tip: Avoid microwaving too long — it can make the sauce separate.

FAQs

What exactly is Crack Chicken Penne?
It’s creamy chicken pasta with ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and cheddar. Basically, it’s pasta comfort food that has no right being this good.

Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors blend together.

Can I make it lighter?
Sure can! Use reduced-fat cream cheese, low-sodium broth, or even Greek yogurt for part of the cream cheese.

Can I use another pasta shape?
Totally. Fusilli, rigatoni, or rotini all work beautifully — but penne still reigns supreme in Penne Recipes for a reason.

Final Thoughts

If you’re after a meal that screams cozy, creamy, and crowd-approved, this Chicken Penne is it. It’s comfort food without the chaos — rich enough to feel indulgent but simple enough to whip up anytime.

Serve it for Sunday dinner, meal prep it for the week, or make it for that one friend who swears they “don’t like pasta.” (Spoiler: they’ll ask for seconds.)

So next time you’re craving something cheesy, hearty, and just downright delicious, grab your skillet and make this Chicken Penne Pasta. It’s one of those Chicken Dishes Recipes that’ll quickly earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.