Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about 250ml (a mugful) of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Cook the Bacon: While the pasta is cooking, place a large, deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's golden and crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Cook the Chicken: Add the olive oil to the bacon fat in the pan. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the diced chicken pieces and season them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. For other great chicken ideas, check out our Juicy Chicken Recipe.

Sauté the Aromatics: Add the finely diced onion to the pan with the chicken. Cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens and becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Build the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the cubed cream cheese to the pan, stirring gently until it melts into the chicken and onions. What works best for me is adding it bit by bit to ensure it melts evenly without clumping.

Combine the Liquids: Slowly pour in the chicken stock and double cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth sauce. Sprinkle in the ranch seasoning powder and black pepper, and stir to combine.

Add the Cheeses: Gradually stir in the grated mature cheddar and Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring gently over low heat until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is velvety and smooth. Be careful not to let the sauce boil, as this can cause it to split.

Bring It All Together: Return the cooked bacon to the sauce (reserving a little for garnish if you like). Add the drained penne to the pan and stir everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated in the glorious, creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency. The starch in the water helps the sauce cling to the pasta perfectly. To learn more about this technique, check out this great guide on the magic of pasta water.

Serve: Divide the Crack Chicken Penne among bowls, garnish with the chopped fresh chives or spring onions and any reserved bacon, and serve immediately.