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!
Baked Mac and Cheese – and try the Shrimp version!
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 long strand pasta
- 3/4 cup pasta cooking water , scoop out just before draining
- 5 -7 oz / 150 – 200 g bacon , chopped
- 6 oz / 180g chicken breast , cut in half horizontally (1 large)
- 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper , for seasoning chicken
Creamy pasta sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 g) unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves , finely minced
- 1/2 small onion , finely chopped (brown, white or yellow)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream / thickened cream (or any full fat cream)
- 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper , for sauce
- 1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan (or 1/4 cup store bought grated) (Note 2)
To Serve
- Fresh parsley
- Parmesan
Instructions
ABBREVIATED RECIPE
- Cook pasta per packet minus 2 minutes, reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining. Cook bacon, then chicken, sauté garlic and onion, simmer with cream, 3/4 cup pasta water, parmesan, salt and pepper. Toss with pasta 1 1/2 minutes, TASTE to check for salt. Serve with parmesan.
FULL RECIPE
- Cook pasta – Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook for time per packet MINUS 2 minutes (finishes cooking in Sauce).
- RESERVE water (important!) – SCOOP OUT 1 cup (250ml) of pasta cooking water, then drain.
- Cook bacon – Meanwhile, heat the oil in a non-stick pan and cook bacon until golden. Remove and drain on paper towels, reserve bacon fat in pan.
- Cook chicken – Season chicken on both sides with the salt and pepper. Cook in the bacon fat for 2 minutes on each side. Remove, then cut into thick slices when cool enough to handle (do this while sauce is simmering).
- Wipe pan (optional) using paper towels to keep sauce pretty and white, and for a buttery clean tasting sauce rather than very bacon-y (Note 3).
- Sauté onion – Over medium heat using the same pan, melt the butter. Add garlic and onion, cook for 3 – 4 minutes until onion is light golden and soft.
- Make sauce – Add cream, about 3/4 cup pasta water, parmesan, salt and pepper. Stir, then simmer for 2 minutes until it reduces slightly – the sauce will still be a too thin, don't worry, it thickens in the next step.
- Add pasta and toss gently in the sauce for about 1 1/2 minutes, still on the stove. The sauce will thicken and coat the pasta rather than pooling in the pan. Do this step until you get the sauce consistency you want. If your sauce gets too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
- Toss and taste – Toss through bacon and chicken. Taste and add more salt if needed (depends on bacon saltiness).
- Serve – 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…..
Beautiful recipe. Thank you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kerry! N x
Made this tonight, what a winner and such an easy recipe, just added a few chopped mushrooms, thank you
Perfect Jayne, that’s great to hear! N x
Thank you so much for this recipe, my kids are supe fussy eaters and there is never a meal that everyone loves. This was definitely a hit , the boys kept giving compliments as they ate.. “awesome, amazing…. “. Made my day.. :). I modified it just a lil with seasoning. . Added peppered garlic and some Italian seasoning.
Thanks again for sharing this super delicious recipe
I am not a very good cook, but this was great definitely added to my favourites, loving this site, really helped me. Added mushrooms which worked well.
Came across this recipe when wanting to use up the Christmas turkey and it was so lovely it’s been made several times since with chicken. Absolutely delicious and so easy to make.
Once again Nagi, you’ve made my day <3
Thank you! x
I love hearing this!! N x
So good!! It is exactly as you describe and I was in creamy heaven. Thank you for another great one.
I cooked this recipe last night for two adults and two teenage boys. It was a huge hit. I added fresh mushrooms and a bit more cream. Thanks Nagi xxxx
Amazing!
Quick and delicious, I did swap out the chicken for prawns.
Made this for an easy mid week dinner and was absolutely delicious, everyone went back for seconds.
So easy and quick
Hi Nagi, this looks delicious and I can’t wait to make it! I was wondering if the sauce can be made ahead of time before the pasta since the pasta contributes to thickening of the sauce?
Hi L, yes you could definitely make it ahead of time then warm it up and cook the pasta when ready to eat. N x
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