Creamy Chicken Pasta with Crispy Bacon Bits

Creamy Chicken Pasta with Crispy Bacon Bits, a dish that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich creamy sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta. This recipe is perfect for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests. Join our kitchen companion community for more mouth-watering recipes that will make your cooking experience enjoyable and delicious!

Ingredients

For 4 servings, you will need:

• Pasta:
  • 16 ounces (450g) spaghetti or linguini
• Chicken:
  • 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• Bacon:
  • 6 slices of lean bacon
• Sauce:
  • 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• Aromatics:
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 large cloves)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Seasoning:
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram or oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Grocery List

• Spaghetti or linguini (16 ounces)
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 pound)
• Lean bacon (6 slices)
• Cream cheese (4 ounces)
• Heavy cream (1 cup)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup)
• Garlic (3 cloves)
• Fresh parsley (¼ cup)
• Paprika (1 teaspoon)
• Dried marjoram or oregano (1 teaspoon)
• Salt and black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon: In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
2. Prepare the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions in a separate pot. Reserve about 3443​ cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
3. Cook the Chicken: In the same pot with the bacon fat, add the chicken strips. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
4. Add Aromatics and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, marjoram, parsley, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until fragrant.
5. Make the Sauce: Turn off the heat and add cream cheese and Parmesan cheese to the chicken mixture. Stir until softened. Gradually add heavy cream and reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pot and toss everything together until well combined. Crumble the crispy bacon on top before serving.
7. Serve Hot: Garnish with additional parsley or Parmesan if desired.

Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes

Nutritional Information

Each serving contains approximately:

• Calories: 1046 kcal
• Protein: 45g
• Carbohydrates: 85g
• Fat: 55g

Tips and Notes

• For added flavor, consider using smoked bacon instead of regular bacon.
• You can substitute chicken with leftover roast chicken for a quicker meal.
• Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra nutrition.

This creamy chicken pasta is not just a meal; it’s an experience that brings comfort and satisfaction. Enjoy this dish with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete dinner!

Join our kitchen companion community to explore more delicious recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and elevate your culinary skills! Happy cooking!