Creamy Chicken Pasta with Bacon Recipe
This Creamy Chicken Pasta with Bacon is a delightful one-pot dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Loaded with flavorful chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy sauce, it comes together in about 30 minutes, making it not only convenient but also irresistibly tasty.
Here’s how to whip up this comforting meal that’s sure to please. Enjoy this Creamy Chicken Pasta with Bacon as a luxurious yet easy meal that brings the rich flavors of restaurant-quality pasta right to your kitchen table!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- Main Ingredients:
- 6 strips of bacon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 small tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- For the Pasta:
- 10 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions:
- Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon strips over medium heat until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, chop into 1-inch pieces.
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until nicely browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it.
- Make the Sauce:
- Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes and cook for about 3 minutes until they begin to break down and release juices. Add the spinach and cook until it wilts.
- Season with paprika, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a light simmer. Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Cook the Pasta:
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Combine and Serve:
- Add the sliced chicken, chopped bacon, and cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. Stir in the chopped parsley.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- To Serve:
- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional shredded Parmesan and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.