Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta Crispy Beef Bacon Herbs (Printable)

Tender chicken in rich creamy cheese sauce with crispy beef bacon and fresh herbs, tossed with penne pasta.

# What You 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:

01 - Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add chopped beef bacon. Cook until crispy, about 5–6 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off excess fat, leaving 1 tbsp in skillet.
03 - Season diced chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - In the same skillet, add butter and seasoned chicken. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
05 - Lower heat. Stir in cream cheese and heavy cream, whisking until smooth and melted. Add reserved pasta water as needed for silky consistency.
06 - Mix in cheddar cheese until fully melted and incorporated.
07 - Add cooked pasta to skillet, tossing to coat thoroughly in sauce. Stir in spring onions, half the crispy beef bacon, and half the fresh herbs. Divide onto plates and top with remaining beef bacon and herbs. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce clings to every piece of pasta like it was made to be there
  • Beef bacon adds this incredible smoky depth that regular bacon just cannot match
  • Everything happens in one skillet so cleanup is almost nonexistent
02 -
  • Cold cream cheese will create lumps that no amount of whisking can fix
  • The pasta water is not optional it is the magic that brings the sauce together
  • Beef bacon cooks faster than pork so watch it closely
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese because pre shredded cheese contains anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting
  • Season your pasta water aggressively it should taste like the sea

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