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:For Protein and Flavor Enhancers:For Creamy and Binding Components:Helpful Tools For Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step-By-Step For Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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Creamy Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Nutritional Analysis, Dietary Accommodations, Food Writing and Blogging,
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
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.