Creamy Chicken Bacon Pasta (quick & easy)
This creamy chicken bacon pasta combines crispy bacon, tender chicken, and a luscious cream sauce in one quick pressure-cooked meal perfect for busy nights.
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl Large
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon lean
- 16 ounces pasta uncooked, spaghetti or linguini
- 1 pound chicken breast cut into strips or chunks
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced (about 3 large cloves)
- 1 teaspoon marjoram or oregano dry
- 0.25 cup parsley fresh, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon salt more to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese shredded or grated
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.75 cup pasta cooking water reserved when draining pasta
Instructions
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and chop.
- Add chicken to the bacon fat in skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add garlic, marjoram or oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve ¾ cup pasta water before draining.
- Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese to chicken mixture and stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Add parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Add drained pasta into skillet. Stir to coat with creamy sauce.
- Add chopped parsley and crispy bacon. Stir again. Serve hot garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
For easy prep, use pre-cooked chicken or bacon bits. Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of cream to avoid drying out.