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Chicken Bacon Pasta– The ingredients are simple, but you can’t go wrong with this golden trio! Throw in some sharp, tangy parmesan cheese, and you’ve got yourself a hit! This Chicken and Bacon Penne Pasta recipe is super cheesy and packed with cozy flavors. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights and a great way to kick off the weekend!
Why We Love This Recipe!
- Comfort Food: Creamy parmesan sauce, tender chicken breasts, and salty bacon crumbles– Need I say more?
- Crowd-Pleaser: This creamy chicken bacon pasta recipe is perfect for serving a crowd. The entire family is sure to fall in love with this cheesy goodness. I mean, who doesn’t love cheesy bacon and chicken all swirled into a delicious pasta dish?
- One-Pot Meal: You read that right! This easy pasta dish serves six hungry tummies and is made in just one pan, besides the large pot you use to cook the penne pasta.
Dinner is ready in under an hour, so you have plenty of energy and time to enjoy this tasty meal with the whole family. There’s just something about cozy ingredients that brings people together– and this pasta and homemade Alfredo recipe is no exception.
Each bite instantly melts in your mouth and transports your mind to a comforting and homey space. Yes. I’m claiming big things with this simple pasta, but you’ll see what I’m talking about when you finally dig into your tasty creation!
Check out some more of my irresistible cheesy bacon recipes, like this Outback Copycat Alice Springs Chicken topped with bacon, mushrooms, and smothered in cheese. Or try my Mini BBQ Bacon Cheddar Meatloaf recipe glazed in smoky barbeque. And when you crave some good ol’ comfort food, make this a classic and oh-so-easy Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole!
Ingredient Notes
Variations and Substitutions
How To Make Pasta with Chicken and Bacon
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Add oil and seasonings, and cook chicken
First, set out a large skillet on high heat and add the olive oil. Heat the oil, then sprinkle each side of the chicken breasts with smoky paprika and fragrant Italian seasoning. Next, carefully drop the chicken into the skillet and cook for about four minutes on one side at medium-high heat.
Step 2 | Flip and continue cooking
Now, flip the chicken over and heat for another three minutes on medium-high.
Step 3 | Reduce heat and cook some more
Next, lower the heat to low-medium and turn the chicken over to the first side. Cook the meat covered for a few minutes until the pink in the center has disappeared. Then, remove the chicken and keep it warm as you move forward with the recipe.
Step 4 | Make the cheesy sauce
Add heavy cream to the same pan with the chicken removed. Bring it to a boil and add freshly grated parmesan cheese. Next, reduce the heat to a simmer at low-medium and continuously stir until the cheese melts to create a creamy sauce, taking a couple of minutes.
Step 5 | Add remaining ingredients
Then, sprinkle in the chopped tomatoes, spinach, crushed red pepper, and minced garlic. Stir the ingredients into the cheesy sauce on medium heat. When the spinach begins to wilt, add a third of the cooked chicken, sliced into small strips. Also, toss in half of the cooked and chopped bacon. Then, mix everything all together.
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Step 6 | Cook pasta
Now, let’s cook some pasta! Boil water on the stovetop in a large pan, then add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions, thoroughly draining after. (Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water)
Step 7 | Add pasta to the sauce
Next, add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the cheesy sauce and other ingredients.
Step 8 | Combine all ingredients
When it’s time to dig in, top the penne pasta smothered in sauce with the rest of the crisp bacon crumbles and perfectly cooked chicken.
Step 9 | Top and serve!
Finally, sprinkle some extra shredded parmesan cheese on top, plate the dish, and eat up, y’all!
Tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta until it is al dente, which means it is still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and won’t hold onto the sauce as well.
- Reserve pasta water: Before draining the pasta, reserve a cup of starchy pasta water. This water can be used to thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick for your liking.
- More Sauce: If you like even more sauce feel free to double it or just add more cream and cheese to taste.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more salt or pepper, depending on your personal preference.
- Let it rest: Let the pasta rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together.
Recipe FAQ’s
You can use milk instead of heavy cream, but the sauce won’t be as rich and creamy. You can also use half-and-half or a combination of milk and cream to lighten the sauce. If you use milk, expect the sauce to be less thick than if you use cream.
For an extra thick and creamy sauce, cook the sauce ingredients on low heat for a longer period. You can also make a slurry by combining water and cornstarch and stirring it into the sauce until it thickens to your liking.
Yes, you can use different types of pasta, but make sure to choose a pasta shape that will hold onto the sauce well. Penne, fusilli, and farfalle are all good options.
You can use different types of cheese, but Parmesan cheese works best in this recipe because it has a salty and nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients. You can try using Romano or Pecorino cheese instead of Parmesan for a different flavor.
Turn this simple pasta dish into a complete meal by including nutritious veggies like broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, and bell peppers. If preferred, mix in a bag of frozen vegetables to make dinner that much easier.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead: This meal cooks up so quickly that you may not find it necessary, but prep ahead the chicken, bacon, and pasta ahead of time. You could even make the sauce ahead too.
But wait to add the spinach and tomatoes until just before serving. Reheat the sauce in a pan and toss it with the cooked pasta and fresh spinach, and tomatoes.
Storage: Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This dish doesn’t freeze well because the sauce may separate when reheated.
Reheat Leftovers: When it’s time to serve it again, just reheat it on the stove at low-medium heat for a few minutes. You can also heat the dish in the microwave for a quick mid-day meal.
What to Serve with Chicken and Bacon Pasta
Serve this homemade chicken alfredo pasta with a crisp and refreshing salad like this classic Caesar Salad with croutons made from scratch. Or pair it with a side of delicious bread, like this Cheesy Green Chile Bread, flavorful and easy Air Fryer Texas Toast Garlic Bread, or buttery soft Homemade Dinner Rolls– YUM!
More Cozy Pasta Dishes
- Slow Cooker Cheesy Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Italian Artichoke Medley with Pasta
- Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Creamy Spicy Sausage Spaghetti Pasta
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Chicken and Bacon Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 – 1.5 pounds chicken, skinless boneless breasts or tenderloins
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt, to taste
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded, divided (reserve ½ cup for serving)
- 5 medium tomatoes, chopped in cubes
- 3 cups fresh spinach, or 1 cup cooked spinach
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flake, (or to taste)
- 6 bacon strips, cooked, drain off fat
- 10 ounces penne pasta
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over high heat and heat up some olive oil until it's hot. Next, season both sides of the chicken breasts with paprika and Italian seasoning. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet and cook them on one side for approximately 4 minutes, using medium-high heat.Turn the chicken over and cook for 3 minutes on medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low-medium, then flip the chicken over again to the first side. Then cover and cook for a few more minutes (until no longer pink in the center). Remove the chicken from the pan, and keep the chicken warm.
- After removing the chicken from the pan, pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a boil. Incorporate the shredded Parmesan cheese into the pan and reduce the heat to a simmer at low to medium temperature. While the sauce is simmering, stir it continuously until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce has achieved a smooth, creamy consistency. This process usually takes approximately 1 to 3 minutes.
- Slice chicken into strips.
- In the same pan, add chopped tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and crushed red pepper to the creamy sauce. Stir on medium heat until spinach wilts, then add 1/3 of sliced, cooked chicken and half of the chopped, cooked bacon. Mix everything together. Turn the heat down to medium-low.
- Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain. Then add cooked pasta to the sauce.
- When ready to serve, top the pasta with the remaining bacon and cooked chicken. Sprinkle the pasta with finely shredded Parmesan cheese.
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Notes
-
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta until it is al dente, which means it is still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and won’t hold onto the sauce as well.
- Reserve pasta water: Before draining the pasta, reserve a cup of starchy pasta water. This water can be used to thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick for your liking.
- More Sauce: If you like even more sauce, feel free to double it or just add more cream and cheese to taste.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more salt or pepper, depending on your personal preference.
- Let it rest: Let the pasta rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together.
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
Fantastic variety of flavors in this pasta dish! The whole family loved it.
Thank you, Dana! I am so glad to hear your family enjoyed it.
This is a really good comfort dish. I love parmesan cheese.
Thank you, Jeff. I love Parmesan too!
This looks absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to make this this weekend! I think it will be a great way to get the kids to eat their veggies, too!
Yes! It’s a perfect way to sneak in some veggies!
Can you really go wrong with chicken, bacon, and pasta? Delicious! I’m definitely making this one again.
I agree it’s a match made in foodie heaven!
This was absolutely amazing. Next time, I’m making extra! My entire family had second helpings.