Easy Creamy Chicken Bacon Pasta
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Easy Creamy Chicken Bacon Pasta! Perfect for busy weeknights, this crowd-pleasing dish combines tender pieces of seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked pasta, all smothered in a rich and velvety Parmesan cream sauce. Infused with the aroma of garlic and a hint of optional red pepper flakes for added depth, this recipe delivers big, bold flavors in just 35 minutes. Whether you’re a fan of fettuccine, penne, or another favorite pasta, this one-pan wonder is endlessly versatile and oh-so-satisfying. Top it off with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of brightness and serve it hot for an easy yet elegant dinner the whole family will love.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice)
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 pieces Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, diced
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
- 6 slices Bacon, chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups Heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
Season the diced chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cook the chicken in the skillet for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the chopped bacon. Cook until crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet and discard the rest.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in the heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet, whisking constantly until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Return the cooked chicken and bacon to the skillet. Stir to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, black pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 206.2 g | 264% | |
| Saturated Fat | 105.5 g | 528% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 709 mg | 236% | |
| Sodium | 5543 mg | 241% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 111.9 g | 41% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.1 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.0 g | ||
| Protein | 148.3 g | 297% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 977 mg | 75% | |
| Iron | 4.9 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 1306 mg | 28% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
