Description
Cheesy bacon chicken pasta with broccoli delivers a comforting blend of creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and tender chicken. Hearty ingredients combine in this satisfying meal that brings family and friends together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 chicken breasts (diced)
- 4 slices bacon (chopped)
- 300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite shape)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (warm)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook noodles according to package instructions. Introduce broccoli florets during final two minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside pasta-broccoli mixture.
- Bacon Transformation: Render bacon in skillet until crispy and golden. Transfer to paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Protein Searing: Use the same skillet to cook chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper. Achieve caramelized exterior and complete internal doneness.
- Roux Creation: Melt butter in skillet and gradually whisk in flour. Cook until mixture develops a light golden color, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Sauce Development: Slowly pour warm milk into roux, whisking vigorously to eliminate potential lumps. Simmer until sauce thickens and smooths out.
- Cheese Integration: Fold in cheddar and parmesan cheeses until completely melted. Season with smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
- Final Combination: Merge pasta, broccoli, bacon, and chicken with the creamy cheese sauce. Gently toss to ensure thorough coating of all ingredients.
- Serving Presentation: Plate immediately, garnishing with additional parmesan or freshly chopped parsley for added visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Monitor boiling time precisely to maintain al dente texture, ensuring broccoli remains vibrant green and crisp-tender.
- Master Bacon Rendering: Cook bacon slowly on medium-low heat to achieve maximum crispiness without burning, allowing fat to render completely.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk roux continuously and add milk gradually to prevent lumps, aiming for a smooth, silky cheese sauce that coats ingredients evenly.
- Optimize Cheese Melting: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent separation, creating a creamy and luxurious sauce without graininess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg