Creamy Chicken Pasta with Bacon
Ingredients
- 6 bacon strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken)
(thick in size, such as chicken breasts
- salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 garlic cloves)
(minced
- 4 small tomatoes)
(diced
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning)
(more, if desired
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese)
shredded (more for garnish
- 10 oz. penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons Parsley)
(chopped
Directions
- 1
BACON: Add bacon strips to the skillet and cook until crispy. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined platter that will absorb extra grease. Chop into 1 inch pieces
- 2
Drain the bacon fat from the skillet and wipe the skillet with a paper towel.
- 3
CHICKEN: Paper towel dry the chicken and season with Nature Seasoning. Then set aside.Heat olive oil in the same skillet. Add chicken breasts and cook on each side on medium high heat for about 4 minutes per side (for a total of 8 minutes) until nicely browned. If chicken is still pink in the center, reduce heat to medium and cook covered for several minutes until no longer pink in the center. Remove chicken from pan and slice it.
- 4
Add butter to the hot pan and once it melts, add chopped garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- 5
Add tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes on medium high until tomatoes release their juices. Add fresh spinach and cook until it wilts.
- 6
Reduce the heat and season with paprika, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes and salt. Mix.
- 7
Next add heavy cream - you are still cooking on low heat. Once heavy cream is slightly simmering, slowly add Parmesan cheese. Once you add the cheese, stir on low simmer until smooth.
- 8
PASTA: In the meantime bring a large pot of water to boil, add pasta and cook it according to instructions. Drain the pasta, but do not rinse.
- 9
Add sliced chicken, bacon and pasta. Next add chopped parsley. Stir until fully coated in sauce. Season with more salt if necessary.
- 10
TO SERVE: Serve with additional shredded Parmesan and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Creamy Chicken Pasta with Bacon
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 653 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a deeply satisfying, incredibly flavorful pasta dish that feels like a special treat? This Creamy Chicken Pasta with Bacon delivers a comforting, restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen. It’s the perfect answer for a weeknight dinner when you want something truly delicious without a fuss. This dish combines hearty ingredients into a symphony of textures and tastes.
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to this pasta's irresistible appeal lies in its lusciously rich and savory cream sauce. Starting with crispy bacon, the rendered fat creates a flavorful base for tender chicken, minced garlic, and vibrant tomatoes and spinach. This foundation then melds with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, ensuring that the delicious creamy sauce permeates every single bite, truly living up to its name.
What to expect from this dish is a wonderfully comforting and deeply flavorful experience. Each forkful brings together tender pieces of chicken, savory bacon, and perfectly cooked penne pasta, all enrobed in a rich, velvety sauce. You'll taste the bright pop of diced tomatoes, the subtle earthiness of spinach, and the aromatic blend of garlic, paprika, and Italian seasoning, with just a hint of warmth from the crushed red pepper flakes. This is a satisfying meal that feels both indulgent and surprisingly balanced.
Customization & Variations
While penne pasta is featured, you can easily use other sturdy short pasta shapes like rotini or rigatoni that hold creamy sauces exceptionally well. Feel free to adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your liking, and add more Italian seasoning if you prefer a bolder herby flavor. For the chicken, the recipe specifies thick boneless and skinless chicken, such as breasts, which are ideal for substantial, juicy pieces.
This Creamy Chicken Pasta with Bacon is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a casual gathering with friends. Serve it alongside a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness and complete your meal.