Description
Creamy bacon chicken pasta blends Italian-inspired comfort with smoky bacon’s rich flavor. Home cooks discover an effortless weeknight meal that satisfies hunger and delights palates with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
Dairy and Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Render bacon pieces in a skillet at medium temperature until crisp and golden, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Use the same skillet to sear chicken breasts in olive oil, cooking approximately 5-6 minutes per side until thoroughly cooked and developing a rich caramel-like exterior.
- Infuse the pan with minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the cooking surface for roughly 45-60 seconds.
- Deglaze the skillet by introducing chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking to create a harmonious liquid base.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a velvety, thickened consistency.
- Reintroduce the reserved bacon and chicken into the creamy sauce, then gently fold in fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, allowing the greens to gently wilt and absorb the surrounding flavors.
- Finish the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley as a vibrant garnish, adding a final layer of freshness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Trim chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels before cooking to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and enhance flavor absorption.
- Use thick-cut bacon for extra crispiness and richer flavor profile in the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 535 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg