Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Ratings: 4.9 from 7 votes
Cooking Method: ,
Cuisine:
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 4
Calories: 543
Best Season: Suitable throughout the year
Description

A hearty Italian chicken pasta with crispy bacon and heavy cream. This recipe for Italian Chicken pasta is so delicious that no one can resist loving it!

Ingredients
  • 12 oz spaghetti (or any type of long pasta)
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/4 lb skinless chicken breasts (around 3 pieces)
  • 6 slices bacon
  • 2 clove garlic
  • 2 cup halved cocktail-tomatoes
  • 3 cup baby spinach
  • 1 tsp honey mustard
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup parmesan (freshly grated preferred)
  • Salt & Pepper (to taste)
    • For Garnish
  • Fresh basil
  • Parmesan
Instructions
  1. 1
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare the pasta according to package directions (until al dente). Drain, keeping 1 cup pasta water for later.
  2. 2

    While the pasta is boiling, in a large pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and cook until golden and no longer pink inside, about 8 minutes per side. Put them aside and let them rest for 10 minutes, then thinly slice.

  3. 3

    While the chicken is resting use the same pan, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy, around 8 minutes. Put to drain on a paper towel–lined plate, then chop the bacon. Pour off half of fat from the pan.

  4. 4

    Now continue by adding garlic, tomatoes, and spinach to the pan and cook over medium heat until it smells delightful and it looks slightly withered, around 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then add the heavy cream, mustard, parmesan, and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Let the whole thing simmer for 5 minutes.

  5. 5

    Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until fully coated, then add the chicken and bacon and toss again until combined. (For a looser sauce, stir in more of the reserved pasta water.)

  6. 6

    To make it look even better, garnish with basil before serving. Enjoy!

Tips
  • If you are using a lower-fat or fat-free cream, you may need to add a little bit of cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
  • You can also add a little bit of nutmeg or white pepper to the sauce to give it more flavor.
  • If you are looking for a vegetarian option, you can use tofu instead of chicken.
  • Use whole-wheat pasta. Whole-wheat pasta has more fiber than regular pasta, which can help you feel full.
  • Use less heavy cream. You can use half the amount of heavy cream called for in the recipe or use a lower-fat version of the cream.
  • Use less Parmesan cheese. Parmesan cheese is a high-calorie ingredient, so you can use less of it. You can also use a lower-fat or fat-free version of the cheese.
  • Add vegetables. You can add vegetables to the sauce, such as broccoli, mushrooms, or zucchini. These vegetables will add flavor and nutrients without adding many calories.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. Pasta that is cooked al dente will have a better texture and will not be as mushy.
  • Serve immediately. Heavy cream pasta is best served immediately after it is made.
Keywords: chicken, pasta, bacon
Read it online: https://themoderncookbook.com/recipe/italian-chicken-pasta/