Chicken Bacon Pasta Spinach (Printer-Friendly)
Tender chicken, crispy bacon, penne, and spinach tossed in creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce for hearty comfort.
# What You'll Need:
→ Main
01 -
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
02 -
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
03 -
1 teaspoon paprika
04 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
06 -
8 ounces thick-cut bacon
07 -
12 ounces penne pasta
→ Sauce & Vegetables
08 -
2 cups heavy cream
09 -
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
10 -
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
11 -
2 cups fresh baby spinach, lightly packed
12 -
1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
13 -
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Pat the chicken dry and season with paprika, Italian seasoning, and half of the kosher salt. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4 minutes on the first side until golden, then flip and cook another 3 minutes. Cover and reduce heat; cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
02 -
In the same skillet, cook bacon strips over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Chop bacon once cooled.
03 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
04 -
In the skillet used for chicken and bacon, pour in heavy cream. Bring gently to a boil, then add grated Parmesan. Stir continuously over low heat until cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth, 2 minutes.
05 -
To the sauce, add minced garlic, halved tomatoes, baby spinach, and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Slice the cooked chicken and return a third of it to the skillet along with half the chopped bacon. Toss gently to combine.
06 -
Add drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss over low heat until pasta is coated and ingredients are evenly distributed. Adjust seasoning with remaining salt if needed.
07 -
Plate the pasta. Top with reserved chicken slices and crispy bacon. Sprinkle generously with additional Parmesan before serving.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
Combine fresh baby spinach at the end of cooking to preserve its texture and vibrant color.
02 -
Gently heat leftovers in a skillet with a splash of cream to maintain sauce consistency.
03 -
Reserve a small amount of pasta cooking water to adjust sauce thickness, if needed.