Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta (Printable)
Tender chicken penne in rich cheddar cream sauce topped with crispy beef bacon and fresh herbs for a decadent 45-minute meal.
# 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
# How to Prepare:
01 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain thoroughly, and set aside.
02 - Cook chopped beef bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until crispy. Remove with slotted spoon, drain on paper towels. Leave 1 tbsp rendered fat in skillet.
03 - Coat diced chicken evenly with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Add butter and seasoned chicken to the skillet. Sauté 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Add minced garlic, cook 1 additional minute.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese and heavy cream, whisking until completely smooth and melted. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve silky consistency.
06 - Mix in grated cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
07 - Add cooked pasta to skillet, tossing thoroughly to coat in sauce. Stir in spring onions, half the crispy beef bacon, and half the fresh herbs. Divide onto plates and garnish with remaining bacon and herbs.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of beef bacon and smoked paprika creates layers of savory flavor that make people think you spent hours simmering
- This sauce comes together in one pan and uses smart ingredient hacks like cream cheese for an ultra smooth finish without any fancy techniques
02 -
- The sauce thickens quickly as it cools, so have that pasta water ready to loosen it back up if needed
- Room temperature cream cheese is absolutely essential, otherwise youll end up with lumps that wont melt no matter how long you whisk
03 -
- Grate your own cheese from a block rather than buying pre shredded, which contains anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting
- Pat the diced chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure it gets properly golden rather than steaming in the pan