Okay, so if you’re looking for that perfect weeknight dinner that feels fancy but is actually ridiculously easy, you HAVE to try this Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce. Seriously, it’s a game-changer! I remember making this for the first time when I was totally swamped and needed something comforting, and wow, did it deliver. The way the creamy, garlicky sauce coats every single strand of pasta, with those little bites of crispy bacon and tender chicken? It’s pure magic. You get this incredible rich flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s become my go-to when I need a serious hug in a bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce

Seriously, this recipe is a winner for so many reasons:

Super Quick: Ready in under 40 minutes, perfect for busy nights!
Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone, and I mean *everyone*, devours this.
Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s rich, creamy, and totally satisfying.
So Versatile: Easily tweak it with your favorite veggies or a little spice.

Essential Ingredients for Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this amazing Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce. It’s pretty straightforward, but using good stuff really makes a difference!

1 lb pasta: Honestly, any shape works! Penne, fettuccine, rotini – whatever you have on hand.
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast: I like to cut mine into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes.
6 slices bacon: Chop these up into little pieces, maybe about half an inch. It gets nice and crispy!
4 cloves garlic: You want these finely minced. The more garlic the better, right?
2 cups heavy cream: This is what makes it so rich and luscious.
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Plus a little extra for serving, because you always need more cheese.
2 tablespoons olive oil: Just for getting things started.
Salt: To taste, of course.
Freshly ground black pepper: Again, season it how you like it.
2 tablespoons fresh parsley: Chopped up, just for a pop of color and freshness at the end.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce

Don’t stress too much if you don’t have *exactly* what’s listed. For the chicken, I’ve totally used thighs before, and they come out super tender too. And pasta shape? Whatever floats your boat! Just make sure it’s something that can really hold onto that glorious sauce. The Parmesan cheese is key here, so try to use the real stuff, not the pre-grated powdery kind if you can. It melts so much better and gives you that authentic flavor for your Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce.

How to Prepare Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce

Okay, let’s get this amazing Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce made! It’s really not complicated, just a few simple steps that build on each other. Trust me, the result is totally worth it!

Cooking the Pasta

First things first, get your pasta going. You want to cook it according to the package directions, but here’s a pro tip: cook it until it’s just *al dente*. That means it still has a little bite to it, not mushy at all. While the pasta is boiling away, do yourself a favor and scoop out about a cup of that starchy pasta water before you drain it. This stuff is liquid gold for making your sauce just perfect!

Preparing the Chicken and Bacon

While the pasta’s cooking, grab a big skillet. You’ll want to heat up that olive oil over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your chicken pieces. Cook them until they’re nicely browned on all sides and cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or the chicken will steam instead of brown! Take the cooked chicken out and set it aside on a plate. Now, into the same skillet (don’t clean it!), throw in your chopped bacon. Let it cook until it’s nice and crispy. Once it’s done, scoop the bacon out with a slotted spoon, leaving all those yummy bacon drippings behind in the skillet. That’s where the flavor starts!

Crafting the Garlic Cream Sauce

Now for the magic sauce! Lower the heat a bit to medium. Add your minced garlic to the bacon drippings in the skillet. You only want to cook it for about a minute, just until you can smell that amazing garlicky aroma. Be careful not to burn it, or it’ll taste bitter. Pour in all that glorious heavy cream and let it come to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble away for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken up just a little. Then, whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s all melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season it with salt and pepper to your liking. Give it a taste – it should be rich and savory!

Bringing It All Together

Okay, the moment of truth! Add your cooked chicken and crispy bacon back into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Now, add your drained pasta right into the mix. Toss everything gently to make sure every single piece of pasta, chicken, and bacon is coated in that delicious garlic cream sauce. If it seems a little too thick for your liking, now’s the time to add a splash of that reserved pasta water. Just a little at a time, until the sauce is perfectly smooth and coats everything beautifully. Give it one last gentle stir, and it’s ready to serve!

Tips for Perfect Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce

To make sure your Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce is absolutely perfect every time, here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up. First, don’t overcook that pasta! Seriously, al dente is your friend here; it keeps the dish from getting mushy. When you’re making the sauce, remember that reserved pasta water is your secret weapon for getting the consistency just right – add it slowly until it’s perfect. And don’t forget that fresh parsley garnish at the end; it really brightens everything up and makes it look as good as it tastes!

Variations for Your Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce

This Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce is already amazing, but you can totally jazz it up! Want to sneak in some greens? Toss in a handful of fresh spinach or some sautéed mushrooms when you add the chicken and bacon – they wilt down perfectly into the sauce. For a little heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes with the garlic. It adds such a nice little kick without being overpowering. Feel free to get creative!

Serving Suggestions for Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce

This rich and creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A light, crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully. And of course, some crusty bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce – you won’t want to waste a drop!

Storing and Reheating Your Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let any leftover Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce cool down completely, then pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 2-3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, the stovetop is best! Gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a tiny splash of milk or cream if it seems a bit thick. Microwaving works too, just stir it halfway through for even heating.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce

Got questions about making this amazing Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce? I’ve got you covered!

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While I love penne or fettuccine, any pasta shape that holds sauce well, like rotini, farfalle, or even shells, will work perfectly. Just cook it al dente!

Q: What can I substitute for heavy cream?
If you don’t have heavy cream, you can try using half-and-half, but the sauce might not be quite as rich. Some people have had success with evaporated milk, but it can sometimes curdle, so add it gently. It won’t be exactly the same, but it’s a workable swap!

Q: How can I make the sauce thicker or thinner?
For a thicker sauce, just let it simmer a little longer to reduce. If it’s too thick, that reserved pasta water is your best friend! Add it a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired creamy consistency.

Q: Can I add vegetables to this Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce?
Yes, definitely! Spinach is fantastic; just toss it in during the last minute of sauce simmering until it wilts. Sautéed mushrooms or some steamed broccoli florets are also delicious additions. Just make sure to cook them before adding them to the sauce.

Nutritional Estimate for Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce

Just a little heads-up: the nutritional info for this amazing Chicken and Bacon Pasta in Garlic Cream Sauce is an estimate! It can change depending on the exact brands you use and how much of everything you toss in. But generally, one serving is around 750 calories, with about 40g of protein and 45g of fat. It’s definitely a satisfying meal!

Amazing Chicken Bacon Pasta: 1 Pan Magic

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A creamy and savory pasta dish featuring chicken, bacon, and a rich garlic cream sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb pasta
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
6 slices bacon, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Add chopped bacon to the same skillet and cook until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving drippings in the skillet.
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Return the cooked chicken and bacon to the skillet. Add the drained pasta.
Toss everything together to coat the pasta and ingredients in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes with the garlic.
You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breast.
Other vegetables like spinach or mushrooms can be added.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 750
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 45g
Saturated Fat: 25g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 150mg

Keywords: chicken, bacon, pasta, garlic, cream sauce, creamy pasta, comfort food