This Chicken and Bacon Pasta recipe is a delicious meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. It is packed with flavor from the bacon, garlic, and creamy sauce. The best part is that it is easy to make and it's a meal your whole family will love!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ It's full of flavor from the bacon and garlic. Plus, it's super easy to make!
✔️ The creamy sauce adds a delicious richness that pairs so well with the tender pasta.
✔️ Plus, you only need a few simple ingredients to make it, and they are all easy to find at your local grocery store.
Ingredients
For the exact measurements for this easy recipe, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- fettuccine pasta - you can always substitute gluten-free pasta or whole wheat pasta if you'd prefer
- crispy bacon
- chicken breasts, chicken tenders or chicken strips
- butter
- fresh garlic
- onion powder
- heavy cream
- wholegrain mustard
- salt and pepper
- parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions, just scroll down to the bottom!
- In a large pot bring about 4 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine noodles and cook for about 8-10 minutes, to al dente.
- Reserve about 1-½ Cups of the pasta water and drain pasta, set aside.
- While cooking the pasta, add the bacon to a large 12” skillet and cook over medium-high heat until the bacon starts to crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.
- Place the butterflied chicken breast into the skillet along with the bacon fat. Season the chicken breasts and cook about 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken and slice. Set aside.
- Using paper towel clean the skillet of the bacon drippings. Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter and melt.
- Add the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream and pasta water with the cooked garlic and bring to a low boil. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Season with onion powder, mustard and salt and pepper. Whisk together. Add the parmesan cheese and stir well until the cheese melts and the mixture thickens.
- Add the cooked noodles to the pan and mix to coat all the noodles evenly. Add the sliced chicken and the bacon. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle with a little more parmesan then some chopped parsley for garnish. Enjoy!
Equipment
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- large pot or dutch oven
- large skillet
- paper towels
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FAQ's
Heavy cream or half-and-half are great for this pasta recipe.
Yes, you can use any type of pasta such as penne pasta or farfalle, just keep an eye on the cooking time to make sure they don't overcook.
Yes, you can however, you will not get as thick and creamy of a sauce. Cream will works best.
Deb's tips
- Make sure to cook the pasta al dente for best results. Check the package directions for the brand that you are using for proper timing.
- Cook your bacon well, because you want crispy bacon for this simple recipe.
- Don't drain the bacon grease, you want to cook your chicken in it for the best flavor.
- You can add salt and black pepper to taste in your sauce. I like to start with less salt, and adjust as needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, or green onions for a nice pop of color and fresh flavor.
Variations
- You can also add some red pepper flakes or diced tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Skip the butter and use the bacon fat to make the roux, you won't be sorry! It will be just as delicious!
- Mushrooms, fresh spinach, and zucchini all work well in this creamy chicken pasta if you want to add more vegetables to this dish.
- Season chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder if you want a little bit of extra flavor.
Storage
Refrigerate - Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer - This pasta does not freeze well due to the cream sauce.
Reheat- Gently reheat on stovetop over low heat with a splash of heavy cream, if desired. Or in the microwave on 50% powder for 2-3 minutes or until warm all the way through.
Related recipes
- Are you looking for another pasta recipe to make on busy weeknights? If so, give this Creamy Taco Spaghetti recipe a try! It's a Mexican-inspired casserole that will have your family asking for more!
- This Chicken Noodle Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. It's creamy, hearty and tastes just like Grandma used to make when you were a child.
- Creamy Lemon Pasta is one of my go-to easy recipes when I am craving something light, and simple, yet still flavorful. You will love this dish!
Serve with
- You can't have creamy chicken bacon pasta without a bread side like this Air Fryer Garlic Bread. It's buttery, full of garlic flavor, and perfectly crispy.
- If you are looking for a fresh and healthy side dish to serve with this chicken bacon pasta recipe, give this Outback Wedge Salad recipe a try. It pairs so well with this meal.
- End this delicious weeknight meal with a sweet treat that doesn't take a lot of effort, like this Lemon Ice Box Pie.
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If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- 6 slices bacon roughly chopped
- 2 chicken breasts butterflied
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup pasta water + possibly more
- 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ Cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley chopped
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Instructions
- In a large pot bring about 4 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine noodles and cook for 8-10 minutes, to al dente.
- Reserve about 1-½ Cups of the pasta water and drain pasta, set aside.
- While cooking the pasta, add the bacon to a large 12” skillet and cook over medium-high heat until the bacon starts to crisp. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels.
- Place the butterflied chicken breast into the skillet along with the bacon drippings. Season the chicken breasts and cook about 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken and slice. Set aside.
- Using a paper towel clean the skillet of the bacon drippings. Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter and melt.
- Add the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream and pasta water with the cooked garlic and bring to a low boil. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Season with onion powder, mustard and salt and pepper. Whisk together. Add the parmesan cheese and stir well until the cheese melts and the mixture thickens.
- Add the cooked noodles to the pan and mix to coat all the noodles evenly. Add the sliced chicken and the bacon. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle with a little more parmesan then some chopped parsley for garnish. Enjoy!
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