Ranch and Bacon Chicken with Penne Pasta

Name: Ranch and Bacon Chicken with Penne Pasta
Total time: 345
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 2 teaspoons seasoned salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme; 5 cups chicken broth; 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened; 1 (1 ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix (such as Hidden Valley Ranch®); 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta; 1 cup milk; 1 (8 ounce) package bacon; 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, or more to taste

Recipe by Bonnie36117 from allrecipes.com

Dinner 6 Hr. 45 Mins.

Ingredients

8 servings

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2.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
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2 teaspoons kosher salt
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2 teaspoons seasoned salt
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1 teaspoon ground black pepper
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1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
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0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
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5 cups chicken broth

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1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
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1 (1 ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix (such as Hidden Valley Ranch®)
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1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
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1 cup milk
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1 (8 ounce) package bacon
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2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, or more to taste

Instructions

Place chicken in a slow cooker. Coat with kosher salt, seasoned salt, black pepper, pepper flakes, and thyme. Pour chicken broth in and around the chicken. Cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours.
Shred chicken and place back into the broth. Add cream cheese and stir well to dissolve. Stir in ranch dressing. Add pasta and milk. Stir, place lid back on, and cook on High for 30 minutes.
In the meantime, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels.
Mix Cheddar cheese into pasta; crumble in bacon and stir to combine. Cook until cheese is melted and pasta is tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes more.