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 pasta
- 5 -7 oz / 150 – 200 g bacon , chopped
- 6 oz / 180 g chicken breast , cut in half horizontally
- 1 tbsp (30 g) butter
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 small onion , finely chopped (brown, white or yellow)
- 3/4 cup (185ml) heavy cream / thickened cream
- 3/4 cup (185ml) pasta cooking water (Note 1)
- 1/2 cup FRESH grated parmesan (or 1/4 cup store bought grated) (Note 2)
To Serve
- Fresh parsley
- Parmesan
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook for time per packet MINUS 2 minutes (finishes cooking in Sauce).
- SCOOP OUT a mugful of pasta cooking water, then drain.
- Meanwhile, cook bacon until golden, drain on paper towels.
- Season chicken on both sides, cook in bacon fat, 2 minutes each side.
- Wipe pan – optional, to keep sauce pretty and white, and for a buttery clean tasting sauce rather than very bacony (Note 3).
- Over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic and onion, cook for 3 – 4 minutes until onion is light golden and soft.
- Add cream, about 3/4 cup pasta water and parmesan. Stir, then simmer for 2 minutes until it reduces slightly – you don’t need to be exact here. Season with salt & pepper.
- Add pasta and toss gently in the sauce for about 1 1/2 minutes. The sauce will thicken and coat the pasta, do this step until you get the sauce consistency you want. If your sauce gets too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
- Toss through bacon and chicken.
- 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…..
This is such a yummy and easy hit with the family!!! Absolutely so delicious- I added some peas which was delicious!
Once again another delicious recipe & so quickly. Made exactly to recipe resulting in 2 good size portions but then I would expect nothing less from Nagi.
Thank you once again.
The first time, I made as exactly described in the recipe and it was fantastic!
The second time, I used a tub of marscapone cheese instead of cream, and grilled chicken thighs instead of pan cooking breasts. (Used what I had in hand.)
Not going to lie, it was even better. Nagi is a national treasure.
Thank you for the recipe! I’ve tried this at home and it was delicious! My husband said it was restaurant quality! I’d like to make it for my son’s birthday party at school. How do I do it so the pasta doesn’t get mushy or the sauce doesn’t clump or dry out? I was thinking of bringing the pasta and sauce (still hot) separately and mix at school. Will that work even if the pasta is room temp? Thank you!
Made this. Was quick, simple and delish. But deglazed pan with white wine, added more garlic, and some baby spinach.
We are a dairy free house so substituted heavy cream with Flora dairy free cream. Cooked onion and garlic in bacon fat as no butter can be used due to allergies. Sauce was still cream coloured. Yummo
Made this. Was quick, simple and delish. But deglazed pan with white wine, added more garlic, and some baby spinach.
We are a dairy free house so substituted heavy cream with Flora dairy free cream. Yummo
Perfection! Thankyou again Nagi for this scrumptious pasta recipe. I followed your instructions and had it made in about 20-30 mins (gave me time to sip on a glass of wine!). We love the creamy sauce & yummy chicken. It’s already been requested to replace our regular carbonara! Huge hit in our household.
This is by far my favourite recipe of all time, whenever I get to choose, this is my go to! Having said that you have so many other winners to, many of your recipes are our family favourites and I always check your site first for inspiration
Amanda, l can see why this recipe is your favourite! We tried it tonight& it’s divine! We like it better than our usual carbonara!
So yummy thank you again Nagi
As suggested by others I added 2 x mushrooms I had, 6 x chopped dried tomatoes & fresh lemon thyme. Husband doesn’t like cream base but loved this. So easy & great. 🙂
This is lovely but takes significantly longer than 20 mins. Would make again
Forgot the stars!
Recipe needs to say to cut chicken in ready bite size pieces before cooking, method needs to say how long bacon to cook. Also, cream didn’t thicken for ages, had to take pasta out and thicken it separately so the pasta didn’t overcook.
Really delicious pasta. A big hit in the household!
Just made this for dinner – doubled up – so easy and delicious – I’m sure it’ll be a regular! Yum!
have made this so many times! so yum and my family loves it
Made this tonight and it was delicious. Thanks for another great recipe.
Wow! This was SO good! Simple and easy but super tasty! Hubby and I cooked it together and both agree it needs to be on the regular rotation. As always, thanks for dinner Nagi x
Addition comment as forgot to rate 😝 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I’ve just made this and it’s delish! I air fryed the bacon and chicken and fryed off the onion/garlic in sunflower oil to keep the calories down a bit (in my head!) and increased the onion/garlic ratio in the sauce. Seasoned with a touch of salt and black pepper. Simple, quick and really tasty. Served with garlic baguette…
Excellent quick dinner when in a bind! I doubled it, subbed shells for the fettucine and a Woollies roast chicken for the breast, and added 200g or more of baby spinach (maybe 3 generous handfuls). Everyone loved it!