Creamy Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

Zesty Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with this mouthwatering creamy cheese bacon chicken pasta.

Crispy bacon adds a smoky crunch to tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta.

Rich, velvety cheese sauce blankets every single bite with incredible flavor.

Comfort food doesn’t get much better than this simple yet satisfying meal.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of savory ingredients that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

The combination of creamy sauce, succulent chicken, and crisp bacon creates a truly irresistible dish.

Prepare to fall in love with this easy and indulgent pasta that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 670 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s Inside Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

For Carbohydrate Base:
  • Pasta: Perfectly textured noodles that create a satisfying foundation for the entire dish, choose medium-sized shapes that cradle the creamy sauce beautifully.
For Protein and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Chicken Breast: Lean protein that provides substantial texture and absorbs surrounding flavors, select fresh, boneless cuts for even cooking.
  • Bacon: Smoky and crispy ingredient that adds rich, salty depth to the recipe, opt for thick-cut varieties for maximum crunch and flavor intensity.
For Creamy and Binding Components:
  • Cream Cheese: Luxuriously smooth ingredient that creates a velvety sauce, select full-fat versions for richer taste and better melting properties.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and tangy cheese that introduces complex flavor notes, freshly grated wheels offer superior taste compared to pre-packaged options.
  • Heavy Cream: Silky liquid that helps achieve ultra-creamy consistency, choose high-quality dairy for most luxurious results.
  • Garlic: Aromatic bulb that infuses robust flavor into the sauce, fresh cloves provide more intense taste than pre-minced versions.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that balance and elevate overall dish flavor, freshly ground options deliver more nuanced taste.

Helpful Tools For Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

  • Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly and cooking it to al dente texture.
  • Colander: Crucial for draining pasta quickly and efficiently after cooking.
  • Large Skillet: Key for cooking bacon and creating the creamy sauce.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed to slice bacon and cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  • Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for prepping ingredients.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.

Step-By-Step For Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

  • Boil Pasta

Grab your favorite pasta and cook it in salted water until it’s perfectly tender. Once done, drain and let it rest while you prepare the other magic ingredients.

  • Crisp Bacon

Sizzle those bacon strips in a skillet until they’re gloriously golden and crunchy. Transfer to a paper towel to drain excess grease, then crumble into delectable bits.

  • Sauté Chicken

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In the same skillet with bacon drippings, cook chicken until it’s beautifully golden and cooked through, ensuring each piece is juicy and flavorful.

  • Create Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat and add cream cheese to the skillet. Stir gently until it melts into a smooth, luxurious sauce. If needed, splash in a bit of chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.

  • Combine Everything

Toss the cooked pasta into the creamy skillet. Mix in the crispy bacon and chicken, ensuring every strand is coated with the rich, velvety sauce. Let everything mingle for a minute to blend the flavors.

  • Serve Hot

Plate up your delectable pasta and garnish with some fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy. Dig in while it’s steaming and enjoy the incredible combination of creamy, crispy, and savory goodness.

Flavor Tricks For Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

  • Crispy Bacon Hack: Cut bacon into small pieces before cooking for more even crispiness and easier distribution throughout the dish.
  • Creamy Texture Tip: Use room temperature cream cheese to ensure smoother blending and prevent lumps in the sauce.
  • Low-Carb Swap: Replace pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lower-carbohydrate alternative that still delivers amazing flavor.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chicken and bacon mixture in advance and store separately from pasta to maintain optimal texture when reheating.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta or substitute with spiralized vegetables to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

Storing Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe The Right Way

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store completed dish in airtight containers for 3-4 days, keeping chicken and bacon crisp and pasta creamy.
  • Freezing Wisdom: Portion individual servings in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 2 months when properly sealed, perfect for quick future meals.
  • Reheating Magic: Warm gently in microwave with splash of milk or broth to restore moisture, preventing pasta from becoming dry or tough.
  • Ingredient Prep Tip: Cook bacon and chicken ahead of time, refrigerating separately to maintain texture and simplify last-minute meal assembly.

Serving Ideas For Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

  • Comfort Food Feast: Serve this creamy bacon chicken pasta with a crisp green salad to balance the rich flavors and add freshness to your meal.
  • Family-Style Plating: Arrange the pasta in a large serving bowl, garnish with extra crispy bacon bits and chopped fresh parsley for a restaurant-style presentation that will impress everyone at the table.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the dish's creamy and savory profile with a chilled glass of unoaked Chardonnay or a light Pinot Grigio, which will enhance the subtle flavors of the chicken and bacon.
  • Leftover Magic: Store any remaining pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore its creamy texture for a delicious next-day lunch.
Print
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Creamy Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

Creamy Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe


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4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Creamy chicken pasta with cream cheese bacon chicken pasta balances rich flavors and comforting textures. Savory bacon, tender chicken, and smooth cream cheese create a satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 chicken breasts, large, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
  • 3 cups (720 ml) pasta, cooked (penne, rotini, or fettuccine)
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Parsley or green onions, fresh, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted pot of water to a rolling boil, immerse pasta until achieving a perfectly tender al dente consistency. Drain thoroughly in a colander, setting aside for subsequent recipe assembly.
  2. Bacon and Protein Transformation: In a large skillet, render bacon over medium heat until achieving a crisp, golden texture. Remove bacon and set aside, preserving the flavorful drippings. Within the same skillet, season chicken pieces and sauté until developing a rich, caramelized exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking.
  3. Sauce Development: Reduce skillet heat and introduce cream cheese, continuously stirring to create a silky, uniform sauce. Incorporate a measured splash of reserved pasta water to facilitate smooth melting and enhance sauce consistency.
  4. Flavor Integration: Crumble reserved bacon and fold into the creamy chicken mixture, distributing smoky fragments throughout. Gently toss prepared pasta into the skillet, ensuring comprehensive coating with the luscious cream sauce.
  5. Finishing Touch: Garnish with finely chopped fresh herbs, presenting the dish with a vibrant, aromatic flourish. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and sauce viscosity.

Notes

  • Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, checking texture frequently during boiling.
  • Bacon Brilliance: Use thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispiness, patting excess grease to maintain crunch.
  • Cream Cheese Melt: Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother sauce integration and prevent lumpy texture.
  • Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly version of the dish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 670
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 45 g
  • Saturated Fat: 22 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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