This Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta is one for all those days when nothing but a creamy pasta will do. It’s unapologetically indulgent, and loaded with all the essential food groups – cream, parmesan, chicken and BACON. Very little prep, on the table in 20 minutes!
Luxuriously rich Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta
I’ve been crowned the Queen of Creamy-Without-Cream*, but today I’m dethroning myself temporarily just so I can share this Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta with you without an inkling of guilt.
We’ve made it to the end of the year, and the month of December is about indulgences. I’ve been very sensible in the past and shared real Alfredo recipes, made the real proper Italian way. That recipe uses just 1/2 cup of cream for 250g / 0.5 lb of pasta.
This recipe uses 3/4 cup of cream for 180g / 6 oz of pasta. I was very honest with you right from the outset….this is indulgent!
* I have been known in the past for self proclaimed titles (such as Roast Queen). However, on this particular occasion, it was in fact the editor of Super Food Ideas magazine who pointed out my fetish for creamy-without-cream. I feel that provides some level of authority for this title!
I actually photographed and filmed the recipe video about a month ago. I’ve been waiting for the right time to share it. I feel like making it to the end of the year, relatively unscathed, warrants some form of celebration.
After all, it is the month for excessive food indulgences, right? The month where even when we’re absolutely determined to eat healthy, there are treats at every turn enticing us. Office occasions, food gifts, gatherings with families and friends.
This is just one more enticement to add to that list. 😈
All that creamy sauce. All. That. CREAMY. SAUCE!!!
I do feel a bit guilty sharing such an indulgent treat with you. So I promise you, I have a big healthy fix coming up soon. Maybe even this Wednesday!
In the meantime, just think back to all you have achieved in 2016. Even if you didn’t make a dent in your list, ignore the fails and focus on the successes. Give yourself a pat on the back, a praise.
Then treat yourself to THIS Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta! 😉 – Nagi xx
More ways to get your creamy pasta fix!
Baked Mac and Cheese – and try the Shrimp version!
Browse all pasta recipes
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Watch and weep that you can’t reach through the screen…
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Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta
Ingredients
- 6 oz / 180 g fettuccine or other pasta
- 5 -7 oz / 150 – 200 g bacon , chopped
- 6 oz / 180 g chicken breast , cut in half horizontally
- 1 tbsp (30 g) butter
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 small onion , finely chopped (brown, white or yellow)
- 3/4 cup (185ml) heavy cream / thickened cream
- 3/4 cup (185ml) pasta cooking water (Note 1)
- 1/2 cup FRESH grated parmesan (or 1/4 cup store bought grated) (Note 2)
To Serve
- Fresh parsley
- Parmesan
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook for time per packet MINUS 2 minutes (finishes cooking in Sauce).
- SCOOP OUT a mugful of pasta cooking water, then drain.
- Meanwhile, cook bacon until golden, drain on paper towels.
- Season chicken on both sides, cook in bacon fat, 2 minutes each side.
- Wipe pan – optional, to keep sauce pretty and white, and for a buttery clean tasting sauce rather than very bacony (Note 3).
- Over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic and onion, cook for 3 – 4 minutes until onion is light golden and soft.
- Add cream, about 3/4 cup pasta water and parmesan. Stir, then simmer for 2 minutes until it reduces slightly – you don’t need to be exact here. Season with salt & pepper.
- Add pasta and toss gently in the sauce for about 1 1/2 minutes. The sauce will thicken and coat the pasta, do this step until you get the sauce consistency you want. If your sauce gets too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
- Toss through bacon and chicken.
- Serve immediately, garnished with parmesan and parsley!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Just making sure we don’t forget he’s down there on the floor…..
Oooooo looks so good! Can I sub creme fraiche for the cream? Happened to be in fridge and wanna use it up. Thanks!
Very great recipe. I did make a couple modifications based on what I had on hand. I had a cut up rotisserie chicken, so I quickly fried it in the bacon oil just to warm thru and for the chicken to grab that bacon flavor. I also added a handful of spinach after adding the meat back and let it wilt. Soooo good! Thank you!
Sounds delicious Alexa!! Thanks for that tip! N x
It’s a great recipe. I did not have chicken on hand so didn’t add it.
While cooking I was making G&T .
And I needed something to deglaze the flavours stuck to the pan- gin did it.
Overall flavour and taste was YUMMY!!
Now that’s my kind of cooking….N x !!
I ❤️ to add mushrooms and spinach to mine…so it’s a little bit ‘good’! 😇 Lol. But then I add grated tasty to the sauce, parmesan goes on for serving!! It’s also nice if you toss some dried or fresh basil through. 😋
OH MY GOD. As per usual, Nailed it again from your recipe! They are fail proof. This pasta is so easy and so tasty and just to die for. My 14 year old son had 3 helpings!! I used Spaghetti (coz that’s all I had in the pantry) and I doubled the garlic, it was just Creamy, rich, delicious, no words. The house smelled like a restaurant. Oh my dear lord. Definetly family approved by husband and all kids (& me)! Husband had 2 serves too. Unfort there’s none left for tomorrow’s left overs. I used alot of pasta too, and it got absolutely smashed by the family! They have demanded this be made again, many times. Thank u! ❤ Such an amazingly easy dish and SO impressive! Yum!!!
Very simple but yummy recipe. I learned a new trick to add the pasta to the sauce before the meat. This made a huge difference in getting the sauce to integrate and stick to pasta. Thanks!
Amazing. So quick and easy too. A real winner!
Hi Nagi,
Just to let you know that what you cooked just excellent and truly tasty, for all what i have tried.
Once again thank you…and happy new year 2022, all the best with prosperous future.
Big hugs for Dozer🐶
Absolutely delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
I only had 4 slices of bacon on hand and no chicken but it was still delicious and enough for 2 people. A great way to use up a carton of cream. Thanks again Nagi!
Forgot to rate it…
OMG! This was absolutely amazing & really great portion size too! My son, who is the fussiest eater ever loved it & gave it 10/10!!
Thank you for this beautiful recipe. I made it tonight and it was delicious. I was hoping for left overs for tomorrow’s lunch, but no such luck!
Wow this was such a winner with the fam! My 6yo even said that it was “super good” and tasted like the one we order from our local restaurant! Even our 1yo ate a whole baby bowl which is a rare thing! The only thing I did different was to add spinach to get the kids to eat their greens and it worked. Thanks Nagi! Only problem now is that my husband says we won’t order from the restaurant anymore since mum can make it for a fraction of the price! Ack!
What a simple yet utterly delicious meal. The only thing I did different was add chopped brown mushrooms and red peppers, and baby spinach leaves.
So tasty! Thank you for the recipe.
Hi Nagi, thanks for recipe. how many servings is this recipe for? just 1 person?
ah i see it is for 2! let me try it!
Another awesome recipe ! I swear this is my go to site and I don’t even look at other sites. I have shared this site with my coworkers and friends
This recipe was so tasty! We used chorizo instead of bacon which was lovely. I also added a little bit of basil on top 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous!😍
Thank you for the recipe, the family loved it!!!
Beautiful recipe. Thank you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kerry! N x