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!
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Baked Mac and Cheese – and try the Shrimp version!
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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…..
I am cooking this tonight and as with all your recipes have not doubt how yummy it will be. Your website makes me look like a good cook! My family thanks you.
Hi Nagi, this looks sooo delicious. I spent a year living in Australia and loved the type of thickened cream you guys have there. However, here in Germany we don’t get anything comparable:( Do I mix normal cream with some cornstarch instead to get the sauce as creamy and thick, apart from using pasta water?
Thanks a lot or sharing all your wonderful inspirations!
Hi Juds, is there anything like whipping cream there? N x
Yes there is actually, But it is really runny. I don‘t think I would get the same creaminess like with a thickened cream…:(
Very very nice & tasty. My family loves it. Thanks alot, Nagi.
10/10 very tasty easy dish
Hubby said he wants it for dinner every night
Thanks Nagi
Always go to your site for all of my cooking xx
Woah what a compliment, thanks so much Kylie! N x
I Made this tonight for the whole fam! I doubled the recipe. Everyone loved it. I left a bowl to the side without meat for my one vegetarian daughter. I added broccoli to the boiling pasta. My husband added chilli flakes to his. Huge hit. Thank you!
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Kristi! N x
Could you swap out the creme with a creme of mushroom instead?
Hi Carlos, as in pre-made cream of mushroom soup? Might be too many flavourings going on – N x
Everyone loved this today! I had to improvise as I didn’t have any cream, but I added milk with a little cornflour instead and I’m relieved to say it worked. So tasty, so quick, so easy. Thank you so much for the recipe, I will be looking for a tomato based pasta sauce recipe next! I have followed you on Instagram 🙂
Perfect Barbara!! N x
100% Best pasta I’ve made in months! My 3yo cleared the plate twice, husband stashed some away for lunch tomorrow. 10/10!
YES! That’s the best compliment! N x
Amazing
Thanks Paul! N x
Delicious. Followed the recipe and it turned out perfectly
Excellent Tat! That’s great to hear! N x
I never write ratings on websites, but this is my all time favourite pasta dish. I recommend it to everyone and it makes me so happy when I know I get to eat it for dinner and leftover lunches!
That’s awesome Laura, I’m so glad you love it! N x
I always cook with red peppers, mushrooms and 175 ml of red wine. Replacing the cream for half fat creme fraiche makes it a bit more healthy 🙂 it’s a family favourite
YUM! Sounds great Martin!
Delicious…. added some mushrooms cause I had some that needed to be used up… rich and indulgent.. just what I was looking for cause I’ve been craving pasta from our favorite Italian place… this filled the void…. so good… thanks Nagi… another hit!!
You are a staple in my house…. lol 🤗 Your recipes are fantastic…. I have made countless amounts of them..you are my go to!!!
That’s awesome Darlana, thanks so much for letting me know! N x
This dish is amazing! It totally reminds me of a pasta dish at one of our local restaurants! I added a little extra bacon and it was to die for!!
Another winning dish for my girls (ages 7 & 5). Showed the video to my older daughter and she was super excited to have this for dinner. Used a rotisserie chicken for ease.
Friday night is pizza night in our house but my oldest daughters wants these leftovers instead.
Now that’s a winner Shelly!!
I made this using your method and ingredients. I only replaced garlic with regular onions and it was so delicious! I loved it! I am definitely making it again!
I’m so glad you loved it Yinka!
This was soooo good!! I used shallots instead of regular onion as I had extra to use up. It was delicious! My husband loved it too. Will definitely make again. I love your recipes! Thanks from an Australian living in the USA!
Sounds great Joy, I’m so glad you loved it – N x
Can you make this with leftover chicken?
If you’re using left over cooked chicken, I would only add it last minute to reheat – just so it doesn’t dry out 🙂
This was delicious and so easy to make, ill definitely be making this again.
That’s great Annette!
Chicken bacon pasta