Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 40 mins | Servings: 4
INGREDIENTS :
Main Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 lb. boneless and skinless chicken (thick in size, such as chicken breasts)
- 6 bacon strips
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 4 small tomatoes (diced)
- 1 ½ tsp paprika
- 1 c. Parmesan cheese shredded (more for garnish)
- salt and pepper
- 1.5 c. heavy cream
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 c. spinach
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (more, if desired)
- ½ tsp salt
Pasta:
- 2 tbsp Parsley (chopped)
- 10 ounces penne pasta
DIRECTIONS :
Step 1: Into a skillet, add the bacon strips, and cook until crispy. To a paper towel-lined platter, transfer the cooked bacon, then chop them into 1-inch pieces.
Step 2: Using paper towels, pat dries the chicken and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large deep skillet, heat the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet and sear for about 4 minutes on each side over medium-high heat until nicely browned. Adjust the heat to a medium and cover the skillet if the chicken is still pink in the middle. Cook further until done. Transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board when done and slice.
Step 4: To the same pan, add the butter. Once melted, add the chopped garlic and cook for about a minute or two until aromatic. Then, add the tomatoes and continue to cook for additional 3 minutes over medium-high heat until the tomatoes have released their juices. Next, add the spinach and cook until wilted.
Step 5: Decrease the heat and season everything with paprika, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir well.
Step 6: While still cooking on low heat, add the heavy cream. Allow it to simmer lightly before adding in the Parmesan cheese. Stir and continue to simmer until smooth.
Step 7: Following the package directions, cook the pasta in a large pot with boiling water until al dente. Drain when done, but do not rinse.
Step 8: To the skillet, add the sliced chicken, bacon, and pasta. Next, add the chopped parsley and stir well. If needed, season with extra salt.
Step 9: When done, serve the pasta right away with more shredded Parmesan and red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts:
Amount Per Serving: Calories 1059, Calories from Fat 603, Fat 67g103%, Saturated Fat 33g206%, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 241mg80%, Sodium 1027mg45%, Potassium 1164mg33%, Carbohydrates 64g21%, Fiber 5g21%, Sugar 6g7%, Protein 50g100%, Vitamin A 4656IU93%, Vitamin C 26mg32%, Calcium 422mg42%, Iron 3mg17%
CREAMY CHICKEN PASTA WITH BACON
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 lb. boneless and skinless chicken (thick in size, such as chicken breasts)
- 6 bacon strips
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 4 small tomatoes (diced)
- 1 ½ tsp paprika
- 1 c. Parmesan cheese shredded (more for garnish)
- salt and pepper
- 1.5 c. heavy cream
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 c. spinach
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (more, if desired)
- ½ tsp salt
- Pasta:
- 2 tbsp Parsley (chopped)
- 10 ounces penne pasta
Instructions
Step 1: Into a skillet, add the bacon strips, and cook until crispy. To a paper towel-lined platter, transfer the cooked bacon, then chop them into 1-inch pieces.
Step 2: Using paper towels, pat dries the chicken and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large deep skillet, heat the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet and sear for about 4 minutes on each side over medium-high heat until nicely browned. Adjust the heat to a medium and cover the skillet if the chicken is still pink in the middle. Cook further until done. Transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board when done and slice.
Step 4: To the same pan, add the butter. Once melted, add the chopped garlic and cook for about a minute or two until aromatic. Then, add the tomatoes and continue to cook for additional 3 minutes over medium-high heat until the tomatoes have released their juices. Next, add the spinach and cook until wilted.
Step 5: Decrease the heat and season everything with paprika, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir well.
Step 6: While still cooking on low heat, add the heavy cream. Allow it to simmer lightly before adding in the Parmesan cheese. Stir and continue to simmer until smooth.
Step 7: Following the package directions, cook the pasta in a large pot with boiling water until al dente. Drain when done, but do not rinse.
Step 8: To the skillet, add the sliced chicken, bacon, and pasta. Next, add the chopped parsley and stir well. If needed, season with extra salt.
Step 9: When done, serve the pasta right away with more shredded Parmesan and red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
