Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne or your choice)
- 6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Feel free to swap the heavy cream for half-and-half if you want a lighter version or use turkey bacon for a healthier twist. This flexibility is what makes cooking at home so wonderful!
Instructions
- Start by cooking the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add the chicken pieces to the skillet with olive oil, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with the garlic. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce, creating a luscious, creamy texture.
- Return the cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon to the skillet, tossing everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy the moment of gathering everyone around the table!
I always keep an eye on my kids during this part because they love to help with the stirring. It’s a little chaotic, but that’s the charm of family cooking, isn’t it?
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Creamy Bacon Chicken Pasta, recipe, cooking, food
