This creamy chicken and bacon pasta is a quick and satisfying dinner that brings the whole family to the table simply because it checks all the boxes.
It’s rich, hearty, and packed with flavor from crisp bacon, tender chicken, and a silky cream sauce that clings to every bite of pasta. Even better, it’s ready in about 30 minutes, so there’s no need to wait until the weekend to enjoy it.
This dish is one of those recipes that makes you feel like you’re eating out, but it all comes together in quickly with simple ingredients.
Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or looking to switch up your usual dinner rotation, this easy chicken and bacon pasta is a no-fuss option that delivers every time.
If you’re a fan of creamy pasta dishes, don’t miss this chicken Rasta pasta or our family favorite creamy ground beef pasta for more quick dinner ideas that hit the spot.
Table of Contents
What’s great about our recipe!
- In my home, bacon and chicken are a flavor-packed combo that we all love. Not sure if it’s the same at yours, but once you try this recipe, it just might be.
- The creamy sauce uses pantry staples and comes together fast.
- Everything cooks in under 35 minutes, seriously, it’s ideal for a weeknight dinner.
- It’s kid-approved and reheats beautifully for leftovers.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast: Boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
- Low sodium Bacon: Adds smoky flavor and a bit of crispiness. I chose low sodium to control the salt in the recipe.
- Uncooked Pasta: Penne, fettuccine, or any short pasta shape works well.
- Heavy cream: Creates the creamy base of the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated adds saltiness and richness.
- Garlic powder and onion powder: Adds more flavor a long way in flavor.
- Italian seasoning: For that subtle herby flavor.
- Salt and pepper: To taste. bringing all the flavors together.
- Reserved pasta water: Helps loosen the sauce and bind it to the pasta.
My go-to tools for this recipe.
The links below may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate and affiliate to other merchants, this website may earn from qualifying purchases. Please read full disclosure here.
Large pasta pot
Colander
How to make chicken and bacon pasta.
Scroll down for our free printable recipe card with measurements and directions.
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the water, then drain.
- In a large skillet, crisp the bacon and set aside, keeping a bit of the drippings in the pan.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, then cook until golden and cooked through.
- For the sauce, pour in heavy cream, stir in Parmesan, and season with Italian seasoning, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Let it simmer until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon back to the skillet. Toss to coat, using reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Garnish with extra Parmesan pepper before serving.
Serve with
This creamy chicken and bacon pasta pairs nicely with a light green salad or Caesar salad, which helps balance the richness of the sauce with something crisp and refreshing.
For a vegetable side, roasted broccoli or sautéed green beans add color and texture to the plate without requiring much extra effort.
And if you’re in the mood for something cozy, garlic bread or warm dinner rolls make the meal feel even more comforting, perfect for soaking up every bit of that creamy sauce.
How to store and reheat
Storage: Let the pasta cool, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of cream or milk. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
FAQs
Yes, boneless skinless thighs add more flavor and stay juicier. Just make sure to trim excess fat.
Short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or rotini works well. Fettuccine or tagliatelle is also great if you prefer a long pasta.
You can substitute half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce may be thinner. For a thicker sauce without cream, add a spoonful of cream cheese.
Nope, but you can add adjust the
amount of red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
Tips
- Cut chicken into even pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- You can substitute the bacon with store bought bacon bits in a pinch. If you do so, you will need some oil to brown the chicken bites.
- I used the Parmesan in a green jar. Feel free to use freshly grated Parmesan.
- Don’t skip the pasta water, it’s key for a creamy, well-coated finish.
This easy chicken and bacon pasta is comfort food made simple—no fancy ingredients or complicated steps, just creamy, savory goodness in every forkful. It’s a weeknight winner you’ll want to make again and again.
Happy cooking!
Love it? Pin it! Remember to follow @mydiasporakitchen on Pinterest for more.
Did you make this recipe?
If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to leave a comment and let us know how it turned out!
Please make sure to add your star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ it helps others decide if they want to give it a go too!
For more family friendly recipes, Sign up for our yummy newsletter and Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Tiktok for updates. Remember to Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for video recipes.
Need a community of fellow foodies?
Creamy chicken and bacon pasta
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon (chopped)
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 2 chicken breasts (cut into bite sized cubes)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- salt & black pepper (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pepper flakes
- 1 cup pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the pan.
- Add chicken cubes to the pan, Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika then cook until golden and cooked through.
- Remove and set aside. Make the sauce. Pour in heavy cream, stir in Parmesan, and season with Italian seasoning, onion powder and pepper flakes. Simmer gently until thickened, about 2 – 3 minutes.
- Add the pasta, chicken, and bacon to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time until the sauce coats the pasta. Taste and adjust for pepper and salt.
- Garnish with more Parmesan and cracked black pepper, and serve warm.
Notes
- Cut the chicken into even pieces so they cook evenly without drying out.
- If you’re short on time, store-bought bacon bits can work in a pinch, just be sure to add a little oil to the pan when browning the chicken.
- For the cheese, the grated Parmesan in the green jar works just fine, but you can use freshly grated if you prefer a smoother melt.
- And don’t skip the reserved pasta water. It helps the sauce cling to the pasta for that creamy, well-coated finish.
We make this creamy bacon pasta often because it’s tasty and easy to make. If you have a pasta lover at home like we do, this recipe will make it to your weekly rotation. Why not give it a go and let us know what you think! Enjoy ☺️