Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta That’s Better Than Takeout
Creamy crack chicken pasta is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfectly creamy, not watery, sauce. The result? A cozy, better-than-takeout dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sausage Pancake Bites Recipe and Crispy Ravioli Appetizer Delivers 5 Ultimate Cheesy Bites..
Why This Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta That's Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Easy, one-pan recipe
- Rich, creamy sauce without heavy cream
- Crispy bacon and tender chicken
- Ready in 30 minutes
What You'll Need for Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta That's Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- bacon
- pasta
- milk
- cheddar cheese
- garlic
- butter
- salt
- black pepper
- chicken broth
- Optional: green onions
- Optional: parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken broth: Use low-sodium broth for better control over saltiness.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and cooking → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Effortlessly grate cheese and vegetables for your pasta → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta That's Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Cook bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Remove bacon, leaving grease in the pan.
- Step 2: Add chicken to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in flour to create a roux.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then add heavy cream and cheese. Stir until sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Add cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon to the skillet. Toss to combine and coat with sauce. Serve hot, topped with green onions and parmesan cheese.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta That's Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It will continue to cook in the sauce. If it's overcooked, it will become tough and dry.
- Pro tip: For an even creamier sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until smooth before adding the pasta.
- Pro tip: To prevent a watery sauce, don't add too much liquid at once. Gradually whisk in the milk and broth, allowing the sauce to thicken between additions.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta That's Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce and cook the chicken and bacon up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge. Reheat the sauce, add the pasta and chicken, and cook until warmed through.
Freezing Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta That's Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until warmed through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the skillet with the garlic.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken for cooked, shredded chicken or turkey to save time.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and cook the chicken and bacon up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge. Reheat the sauce, add the pasta and chicken, and cook until warmed through.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little more milk or chicken broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Immersion Blender — Easily blend sauces and soups right in the pan for a smooth, creamy result → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta That's Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- bacon
- pasta
- milk
- cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- garlic
- butter
- salt
- black pepper
- chicken broth
Optional Toppings
- green onions
- parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Remove bacon, leaving grease in the pan.
- Step 2: Add chicken to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in flour to create a roux.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then add heavy cream and cheese. Stir until sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Add cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon to the skillet. Toss to combine and coat with sauce. Serve hot, topped with green onions and parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the skillet with the garlic.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken for cooked, shredded chicken or turkey to save time.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and cook the chicken and bacon up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge. Reheat the sauce, add the pasta and chicken, and cook until warmed through.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little more milk or chicken broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until warmed through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce and cook the chicken and bacon up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge. Reheat the sauce, add the pasta and chicken, and cook until warmed through.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta That's Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, prepare the sauce and cook the chicken and bacon up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge. Reheat the sauce, add the pasta and chicken, and cook until warmed through.
You may have added too much liquid at once. Gradually whisk in the milk and broth, allowing the sauce to thicken between additions.
No, this recipe is best made on the stovetop in a skillet.
Use an equal amount of milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Mix the cornstarch with a little cold milk before adding it to the sauce.
Yes, this comforting, better-than-takeout dinner is perfect for busy holiday weeks. Make it ahead and reheat for a quick, easy meal.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta That's Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
