Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta With Crispy Beef Bacon Herbs (Print View)
Tender chicken in rich cheese sauce with crispy beef bacon and herbs.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large chicken breasts, diced
02 - 8 slices beef bacon, chopped
→ Pasta
03 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
→ Dairy & Cheese
04 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
05 - ½ cup heavy cream
06 - 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Vegetables & Herbs
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
10 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
11 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
→ Spices & Seasoning
12 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
13 - ½ tsp garlic powder
14 - ½ tsp onion powder
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Method:
01 - Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add chopped beef bacon. Cook until crispy, about 5–6 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off excess fat, leaving 1 tbsp in skillet.
03 - Season diced chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - In the same skillet, add butter and seasoned chicken. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
05 - Lower heat. Stir in cream cheese and heavy cream, whisking until smooth and melted. Add reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
06 - Mix in cheddar cheese until melted.
07 - Add cooked pasta to skillet, tossing to coat in sauce. Stir in spring onions, half the crispy beef bacon, and half the fresh herbs. Divide onto plates and top with remaining beef bacon and herbs. Serve immediately.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- The sauce clings to every single piece of pasta like it was meant to be there
- That crispy beef bacon adds this incredible smoky crunch you never want to end
02 -
- Reserving the pasta water is not optional, it is what makes the sauce actually cling to the pasta
- Beef bacon cooks faster than you expect, so keep a close eye on it
03 -
- Room temperature cream cheese melts so much more smoothly than cold
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for better melting