CREAMY CHICKEN PASTA WITH BACON - Delish Grandma's Recipes (2024)

Prep Time:20 mins| Cook Time:20 mins |Total Time:40 mins| Servings:4

INGREDIENTS :

Main Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 lb. boneless and skinless chicken (thick in size, such as chicken breasts)
• 6 bacon strips
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 4 small tomatoes (diced)
• 1 ½ tsp paprika
• 1 c. Parmesan cheese shredded (more for garnish)
• salt and pepper
• 1.5 c. heavy cream
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 c. spinach
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (more, if desired)
• ½ tsp salt

Pasta:

• 2 tbsp Parsley (chopped)
• 10 ounces penne pasta

DIRECTIONS :

Step 1: Into a skillet, add the bacon strips, and cook until crispy. To a paper towel-lined platter, transfer the cooked bacon, then chop them into 1-inch pieces.

Step 2: Using paper towels, pat dries the chicken and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.

Step 3: In a large deep skillet, heat the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet and sear for about 4 minutes on each side over medium-high heat until nicely browned. Adjust the heat to a medium and cover the skillet if the chicken is still pink in the middle. Cook further until done. Transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board when done and slice.

Step 4: To the same pan, add the butter. Once melted, add the chopped garlic and cook for about a minute or two until aromatic. Then, add the tomatoes and continue to cook for additional 3 minutes over medium-high heat until the tomatoes have released their juices. Next, add the spinach and cook until wilted.

Step 5: Decrease the heat and season everything with paprika, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir well.

Step 6: While still cooking on low heat, add the heavy cream. Allow it to simmer lightly before adding in the Parmesan cheese. Stir and continue to simmer until smooth.

Step 7: Following the package directions, cook the pasta in a large pot with boiling water until al dente. Drain when done, but do not rinse.

Step 8: To the skillet, add the sliced chicken, bacon, and pasta. Next, add the chopped parsley and stir well. If needed, season with extra salt.

Step 9: When done, serve the pasta right away with more shredded Parmesan and red pepper flakes. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts:

Amount Per Serving:Calories 1059, Calories from Fat 603, Fat 67g103%, Saturated Fat 33g206%, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 241mg80%, Sodium 1027mg45%, Potassium 1164mg33%, Carbohydrates 64g21%, Fiber 5g21%, Sugar 6g7%, Protein 50g100%, Vitamin A 4656IU93%, Vitamin C 26mg32%, Calcium 422mg42%, Iron 3mg17%

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• Main Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 lb. boneless and skinless chicken (thick in size, such as chicken breasts)
• 6 bacon strips
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 4 small tomatoes (diced)
• 1 ½ tsp paprika
• 1 c. Parmesan cheese shredded (more for garnish)
• salt and pepper
• 1.5 c. heavy cream
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 c. spinach
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (more, if desired)
• ½ tsp salt
• Pasta:
• 2 tbsp Parsley (chopped)
• 10 ounces penne pasta

Instructions

Step 1: Into a skillet, add the bacon strips, and cook until crispy. To a paper towel-lined platter, transfer the cooked bacon, then chop them into 1-inch pieces.

Step 2: Using paper towels, pat dries the chicken and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.

Step 3: In a large deep skillet, heat the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet and sear for about 4 minutes on each side over medium-high heat until nicely browned. Adjust the heat to a medium and cover the skillet if the chicken is still pink in the middle. Cook further until done. Transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board when done and slice.

Step 4: To the same pan, add the butter. Once melted, add the chopped garlic and cook for about a minute or two until aromatic. Then, add the tomatoes and continue to cook for additional 3 minutes over medium-high heat until the tomatoes have released their juices. Next, add the spinach and cook until wilted.

Step 5: Decrease the heat and season everything with paprika, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir well.

Step 6: While still cooking on low heat, add the heavy cream. Allow it to simmer lightly before adding in the Parmesan cheese. Stir and continue to simmer until smooth.

Step 7: Following the package directions, cook the pasta in a large pot with boiling water until al dente. Drain when done, but do not rinse.

Step 8: To the skillet, add the sliced chicken, bacon, and pasta. Next, add the chopped parsley and stir well. If needed, season with extra salt.

Step 9: When done, serve the pasta right away with more shredded Parmesan and red pepper flakes. Enjoy!