Creamy Crack Chicken and Noodles Recipe

Introduction

Crack Chicken and Noodles is a creamy, comforting dish that’s both easy to make and packed with flavor. Combining tender chicken, cheesy egg noodles, and crispy bacon, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 oz egg noodles
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside, reserving a small amount of bacon fat for cooking the chicken.
2. Step 2: Season the chicken breasts with the ranch seasoning and cook them in the bacon fat over medium heat until fully cooked and browned on both sides. Remove from the skillet and shred or cube the chicken once cool enough to handle.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to low and stir in the cream cheese until melted and smooth.
5. Step 5: Add the cooked noodles and shredded chicken to the skillet. Stir well to combine, allowing the cream cheese to coat the noodles and chicken evenly.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Stir gently until the cheese melts and the mixture is creamy and heated through.
7. Step 7: Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Crack Chicken and Noodles.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add chopped green onions or fresh parsley as a garnish before serving.
• You can swap cheddar cheese for mozzarella or pepper jack for a different cheesy twist.
• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
• If you prefer a lighter version, substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt, but add it off the heat to prevent curdling.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a slow cooker to make this dish?

Yes, you can cook the chicken and ranch seasoning in a slow cooker until tender, then stir in cream cheese, cooked noodles, cheese, and bacon at the end. This method yields very tender chicken and hands-off convenience.

What can I substitute for the ranch seasoning?

If you don’t have ranch seasoning, you can use a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, parsley, and a bit of salt and pepper to mimic the flavor.

Creamy Crack Chicken and Noodles Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 142 reviews

A comforting and creamy dish featuring tender chicken cooked with ranch seasoning, combined with egg noodles, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon for a flavorful and satisfying meal.

• Author: Yana
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Mixture

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Noodles

• 12 oz egg noodles
• Water and salt, for boiling noodles

Instructions

1. Cook the chicken: In a large pot or deep pan, cook the chicken breasts over medium heat. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken as it cooks. Continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Prepare the noodles: In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. Combine cream cheese and noodles: Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks. Stir the softened cream cheese into the pot with the chicken juices over low heat until melted and smooth. Add the cooked noodles and mix well to coat the noodles in the creamy sauce.
4. Add cheese and bacon: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon, continuing to heat gently until the cheese has melted and the mixture is creamy and well combined.
5. Serve hot: Remove from heat and serve immediately for a rich, hearty meal.

Notes

• For extra flavor, brown the chicken breasts lightly before adding ranch seasoning.
• Use smoked bacon for a deeper smoky taste.
• You can substitute cheddar cheese with Monterrey Jack or a cheese blend.
• Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• To reduce calories, use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar.

Keywords: crack chicken, creamy chicken noodles, ranch chicken recipe, chicken and noodles, bacon cheddar chicken