Creamy Chicken Bacon Spinach Pasta
Whip up this Creamy Chicken Bacon Spinach Pasta, a mouth-watering culinary delight packed full of sumptuous flavors. This divine combination of succulent chicken, crispy bacon, and spinach mixed up in a creamy pasta is a true treat to your taste buds.
Total Time: 30 minutes
– Preparation Time: 10 minutes
– Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Why Make This Recipe
This creamy, satisfying pasta dish is everything you could want in a comforting meal. It’s quick and easy, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or relaxed weekend meals alike. With wholesome ingredients and hearty flavors, it’s guaranteed to fill you up and leave you satisfied. Plus, it’s flexible—you can easily adjust ingredients to suit your personal taste.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Bacon Spinach Pasta
Ingredients:
– 8 oz (225g) pasta of your choice
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 lb (450g) chicken breast, diced
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 6 slices bacon, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 cups fresh spinach
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions:
1. Start by cooking the pasta as per the package instructions.
2. Simultaneously, in a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add the diced chicken, season it with salt and pepper, and cook thoroughly. Remove the chicken from the skillet.
3. In the same skillet, cook the bacon until it’s crispy. Keep a small amount of bacon fat in the skillet and set the rest aside.
4. In the remaining bacon fat, sauté garlic for about 1 minute until it releases its aroma. Stir in spinach and cook until it wilts.
5. Add heavy cream to the skillet and let it simmer until slightly reduced. Mix in the Parmesan cheese until a smooth sauce forms.
6. Combine the pasta, chicken, and bacon in the skillet, coating everything evenly with the sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if desired.
7. Your Creamy Chicken Bacon Spinach Pasta is ready to be served!
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Bacon Spinach Pasta
Serve this delicious pasta hot with a sprinkling of extra Parmesan cheese on top. Accompany it with a slice of garlic bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.
How to Store Creamy Chicken Bacon Spinach Pasta
Allow the pasta to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to two days. To reheat, simply microwave until hot, ensuring the dish is evenly heated.
Tips to Make Creamy Chicken Bacon Spinach Pasta
Tip 1: You might want to stir the pasta occasionally whilst it’s cooking to prevent it from sticking.
Tip 2: For an extra touch of flavor, you could garnish the pasta with some fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
Variation
You can substitute spinach with other greens like kale or arugula. If you’d like to make it vegetarian, skip the chicken and bacon and add mushrooms or your preferred vegetables.
FAQs
Question 1: Can I use whole wheat pasta?
Answer: Yes, you can use any variety of pasta based on your preference.
Question 2: Can I use other types of cheese?
Answer: Parmesan is preferred for its flavor, but feel free to use other types like cheddar or mozzarella.
Question 3: Can I freeze this pasta?
Answer: It’s advisable to freeze the sauce separately. Pasta can become soft once thawed and reheated. Defrost the sauce in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in a skillet before mixing in freshly cooked pasta.