Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta (Printable)
Tender chicken in rich creamy cheese sauce with crispy beef bacon and fresh herbs over penne pasta.
# 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
# Method:
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 a silky sauce.
06 - Mix in cheddar cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
07 - Add cooked pasta to skillet, tossing to coat 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.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- The sauce clings to every curve of pasta like it was made for each other
- Beef bacon adds this smoky depth that regular bacon just cant match
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like restaurant comfort food
02 -
- Room temperature cream cheese incorporates smoothly without any frustrating lumps
- That reserved pasta water is your insurance policy against sauce thats too thick
- Beef bacon cooks faster than you think, keep an eye on it so it doesnt burn
03 -
- Dont rush the cream cheese melting step, low and slow prevents separation
- Reserve more pasta water than you think you need, you can always drain it off later