Pasta with Chicken and Bacon

Pasta with Chicken and Bacon is a classic comfort dish that brings together creamy sauce and smoky meat. It is a popular choice for a quick dinner when you want something satisfying. You can use any type of pasta shape like penne or fusilli to catch the delicious sauce. The combination of tender chicken and crispy bacon creates a great texture in every bite.
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Why you should try pasta with chicken and bacon

This Pasta with Chicken and Bacon is incredibly easy to make with just a few basic ingredients. The salty bacon adds a deep flavour that complements the mild chicken perfectly. It only takes about twenty five minutes from start to finish. You can easily adapt the recipe by adding some spinach or peas for extra colour. It is a reliable meal that the whole family will enjoy.

How to make pasta with chicken and bacon

Step 1
Boil the pasta: Fill a large saucepan with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook the pasta for about ten minutes or until it is tender. Drain the water using a colander and set the pasta aside for later.
Step 2
Fry the meat: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and bacon lardons to the hot pan. Fry them for about eight minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy. Stir the meat occasionally to ensure it browns evenly on all sides.
Step 3
Make the sauce: Peel and crush the garlic clove then add it to the frying pan. Pour the double cream over the chicken and bacon and let it simmer gently for two minutes. Add half of the parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce begins to thicken. Season the mixture with a little black pepper to taste.
Step 4
Combine and serve: Add the cooked pasta to the frying pan with the sauce and meat. Toss everything together so the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce. Serve the Pasta with Chicken and Bacon in warm bowls. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top before serving.

Tips to make pasta with chicken and bacon even better

To get the best results with your Pasta with Chicken and Bacon, try not to overcook the meat so the chicken stays juicy. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a small splash of the pasta cooking water to loosen it. Using smoked bacon will give the dish a more intense flavour compared to unsmoked varieties. Make sure the pan is hot before adding the chicken to help it brown quickly. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to cut through the richness of the cream. Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for a day but the sauce might thicken as it cools down.

Always taste the sauce before adding extra salt because the bacon and cheese are already quite salty.

You may also like roast pigeon, whisky sauce or quesadillas with beef.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 300 g dried pasta
  • 400 g chicken breast
  • 150 g bacon lardons
  • 200 ml double cream
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 50 g parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper

Cooking time

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Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:3272 kJ / 782 kcal
  • Fat:42 g
  • - of which saturates:21 g
  • Carbohydrates:56 g
  • - of which sugars:3 g
  • Protein:45 g
  • Fibre:2 g
  • Salt:1.2 g

People also ask

Put any remaining Pasta with Chicken and Bacon into an airtight container once it has cooled down. You can keep it in the fridge for up to two days. When you reheat it, add a splash of milk or water to make the sauce creamy again.
Yes, you can use any shape you like such as penne, fusilli or even spaghetti. Shorter pasta shapes are usually better for Pasta with Chicken and Bacon as they hold the thick sauce well. Just follow the cooking times on the pasta packet for the best results.
Pasta with Chicken and Bacon usually takes about 15 minutes to make. The time can vary slightly with the quantity and method. Check the texture towards the end.
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