Description
This Chicken Bacon Pasta recipe is a quick and comforting dish combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked pasta in a creamy, savory sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or cozy meals, using simple pantry staples to deliver rich flavors and creamy comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 bacon slices, chopped into small strips
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne or fusilli pasta
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings and Garnish
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, chop bacon into small strips, and mince garlic cloves to prepare for cooking.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving one cup of pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency if needed.
- Crisp the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
- Cook the Chicken: Using the same skillet with bacon fat, add chicken pieces. Season with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat, add butter and minced garlic to the skillet with chicken and sauté until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring gently until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta and crispy bacon back into the skillet. Toss until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if a thinner sauce is desired.
- Serve and Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for color and freshness. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use warm pasta water to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor if it becomes too thick.
- Do not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Cook bacon last to ensure it stays crispy and doesn’t become chewy.
- Grate your own Parmesan cheese for better melting and fresher flavor.
- Season gradually and adjust salt carefully because bacon and Parmesan are naturally salty.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg