Description
This creamy, cheesy crack chicken and noodles recipe combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, and egg noodles for the ultimate comfort food dinner. Quick to make and wildly addictive, it’s perfect for cozy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and chopped
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving drippings in the pot.
- Add diced chicken breast to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside with bacon.
- Fill the pot with water and bring to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook according to package instructions until just al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain noodles.
- Return the pot to medium heat. Add softened cream cheese, stirring until melted and smooth (2–3 minutes). Pour in chicken broth, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until well combined and creamy.
- Add cooked noodles, chicken, and bacon back into the pot. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and milk. Mix until cheese is melted and everything is coated. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water as needed.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot, optionally topping with extra cheddar and bacon bits.
Notes
For gluten-free, use GF noodles and check ranch seasoning. Rotisserie chicken can be substituted for faster prep. Reserve pasta water for a silky sauce. Add veggies like spinach or peas for extra nutrition. Sauce thickens as it cools; add milk or broth to loosen when reheating. For extra flavor, broil with more cheese before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 950
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 36
Keywords: crack chicken, noodles, creamy chicken, comfort food, ranch chicken, bacon chicken, easy dinner, one-pot meal