This creamy chicken pasta recipe is a complete and nutritious dinner that’s easy enough for a weeknight and tasty enough for when you have company. The chicken pasta is ready in about 30 minutes and only needs ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Cream, parmesan, bacon, what could be missing? This is the ideal flavor combination for a rich dinner that everyone will love!
Table of Contents
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Ingredients list for the Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
- 8 oz bacon
- 4 medium boneless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons flour, for dredging
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
- 4 cups uncooked pasta
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Creamy Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe
If you’re occasionally open to an indulgent dinner, don’t miss our creamy bacon chicken pasta recipe. The recipe is very easy but yields impressive results. The key is to brown the chicken to get a nice crispy-golden-sear that will contrast with the smooth, creamy sauce. We like flavorful chicken thighs for this recipe, but feel free to use chicken breasts or chicken tenders. Also, go easy on salt with this recipe. We do not add salt because chicken broth, bacon, and parmesan are enough for the whole dish.
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Why you’ll love this chicken pasta recipe
- It’s budget-friendly: chicken thighs are a pretty inexpensive cut.
- It’s quick to make: 30 minutes from start to finish!
- You’ll use only two pans: one for the pasta, the other for the bacon, chicken, sauce, and the final dish!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
How to make creamy bacon chicken pasta:
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve some cooked pasta water. Drain the pasta and keep covered.
2. Cut the bacon up and add it to a skillet. Fry the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy – about 10 minutes.
3. Once the bacon is done, remove it from the skillet and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess fat. Leave about two tablespoons of the bacon fat in the skillet.
4. Meanwhile, prep your chicken thighs. Sprinkle them with the garlic powder and pepper and then coat them in the flour.
5. Add the dredged chicken thighs to the skillet and cook in the remaining bacon fat over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set cooked chicken thighs aside on a cutting board and slice using a sharp knife.
6. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, a bit of pasta water and butter to the pan. Let it bubble until it’s reduced by half (about 3-4 minutes).
7. Stir in the cream and parmesan, and once it starts to bubble, add the bacon back into the pan along with cooked pasta. Reheat for another 2 minutes or so, stirring regularly until the pasta is coated with the sauce.
8. Top the pasta with sliced chicken and serve the creamy bacon chicken pasta immediately. Enjoy!
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Tips for the chicken pasta recipe
- A little kick of spice never hurts. Add a pinch of Cayenne or a drizzle of Sriracha to the sauce if you like.
- Cook pasta al dente; they’ll finish plumping up in the sauce. Otherwise, you might end up with soggy pasta.
- Smoked bacon also works great with the chicken and cream.
How to keep chicken pasta leftovers
You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat gently in the microwave with a few drops of water to loosen the sauce.
More chicken pasta recipes
- 21 Best Chicken Pasta Recipes for Dinner
- Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad
- Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Cheesy Spinach Chicken Pasta
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
