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
- 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