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–+ servings

Creamy chicken and bacon pasta

Chichi Uguru
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.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 473kcal

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.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Creamy chicken and bacon pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 473 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Trans Fat 0.03g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 85mg28%
Sodium 292mg13%
Potassium 424mg12%
Carbohydrates 45g15%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 25g50%
Vitamin A 715IU14%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 121mg12%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.