If you’re craving a delicious, creamy pasta dish packed with savory flavors, look no further than this Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta. It’s the perfect combination of tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich, velvety sauce made with cream cheese, garlic, chicken broth, and parmesan. This hearty meal is guaranteed to become a weeknight favorite for your family or a great dish to impress your guests at your next dinner party. Each bite is a burst of comforting flavors, and you can easily make it in less than 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Bacon Chicken Pasta
What makes this recipe so irresistible? Well, first of all, it’s incredibly creamy and full of rich flavors. The cream cheese and parmesan cheese in the sauce provides a luscious texture that perfectly complements the salty, smoky bacon and tender chicken.
Moreover, this Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta is so quick and easy to make. You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen, and with just a handful of ingredients, you’ll have a dish that tastes like it came from a five-star restaurant. The best part? It’s a one-pan recipe, which means less clean-up afterward!
Whether you’re a pasta lover or just looking for a comforting meal, this dish checks all the boxes. It’s creamy, savory, and will leave you coming back for more.
The Key Ingredients for the Perfect Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta
1. Spaghetti
Spaghetti is the traditional pasta for this recipe, but you can swap it with any pasta of your choice. Penne, fettuccine, or even rotini would work great. The key is to cook the pasta until it’s al dente, ensuring a perfect bite that pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce.
2. Thick Cut Bacon
Crispy bacon adds the perfect crunch and smoky flavor to the dish. Using thick-cut bacon ensures it holds its shape while cooking, and adds a satisfying bite that contrasts with the creamy pasta.
3. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
Chicken breasts are lean and cook quickly, making them a great addition to this pasta dish. Cut into small cubes, they soak up the rich flavors of the sauce, creating a juicy, tender texture with every bite.
4. Garlic
Garlic is the backbone of this recipe, giving it an aromatic depth of flavor that elevates the whole dish. Sautéing the garlic brings out its natural sweetness and infuses the oil with a rich fragrance that makes the sauce irresistible.
5. Chicken Broth & Milk
These two liquids make up the base of the sauce. The chicken broth adds a savory, meaty depth of flavor, while the milk provides creaminess without being too heavy. Together, they create the perfect consistency for the sauce, with just enough creaminess to coat the pasta without being overly thick.
6. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is the star of the sauce. It melts into the chicken broth and milk, creating a rich and velvety sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. It’s creamy without being too heavy, and its tangy flavor complements the savory bacon and chicken.
7. Parmesan Cheese
Freshly grated parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty flavor that enhances the overall creaminess of the dish. It melts into the sauce, helping it thicken and adding a layer of richness that makes every bite indulgent.
8. Salt and Pepper
Simple seasonings of salt and pepper are essential to balance out the flavors in the dish. The bacon is naturally salty, so taste the sauce before adding more salt to ensure it’s seasoned perfectly.
How to Make Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta
This recipe is easy to follow, and you’ll have a creamy, delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes. Here’s the step-by-step guide to making this mouthwatering dish:
Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti
The first step in this recipe is cooking the pasta. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions, or until the pasta is al dente. Once the pasta is done cooking, drain it, but remember to save a small cup of the pasta water for later. You can add this to the sauce if you’d like to make it a bit thinner.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
As your pasta cooks, warm a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices to the skillet and cook them until they’re nice and crispy about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet, and place it on a paper towel to drain the excess fat. Once the bacon cools, crumble it into small pieces. Set aside. You can keep a small amount of bacon drippings in the skillet to cook the chicken, which will add extra flavor.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Now it’s time to cook the chicken. Add the cubed chicken breast to the skillet with the bacon drippings. Season with salt and pepper, and cook the chicken over medium heat for about 6-8 minutes, or until it’s browned on the outside and cooked through. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 4: Sauté the Garlic
Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until the garlic becomes fragrant. This will infuse the oil and bacon drippings with the aromatic flavor of the garlic, which is going to make your sauce taste incredible.
Step 5: Make the Creamy Sauce
Now for the magic step! Add the chicken broth and milk to the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once the liquid has started to bubble gently, add the cream cheese cubes to the skillet. Stir continuously to melt the cream cheese and create a smooth, creamy sauce. It’s important to keep stirring to prevent the cream cheese from clumping.
Once the cream cheese has completely melted, the sauce will thicken into a luscious, creamy texture that will coat the pasta beautifully.
Step 6: Combine the Chicken, Bacon, and Pasta
It’s time to bring everything together! Add the cooked chicken and crumbled bacon back into the skillet. Stir to combine, letting the flavors meld together. Then, add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing everything until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Step 7: Finish with Parmesan
The final touch for this dish is the addition of parmesan cheese. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan, and cook for another minute until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens even further. The parmesan will add a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the overall creaminess of the dish.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is combined and the cheese has melted, serve your Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta hot! Garnish with extra parmesan cheese if desired, and serve with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Nutritional Information
This dish is rich and indulgent, but it’s worth every bite! Here’s a rough breakdown of the nutritional content for one serving:
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Protein: 34g
- Carbs: 48g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Creamy Bacon Chicken Pasta
- Customize the Pasta: While we’ve used spaghetti here, feel free to use any pasta you love. Penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni work great too!
- Add Veggies: Want to sneak in some veggies? Try adding spinach, broccoli, or mushrooms to the skillet along with the chicken for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Make it Spicy: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce to give it a kick.
- Use Heavy Cream for Extra Richness: If you want a thicker and even richer sauce, you can replace the milk with heavy cream.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Weeknights
One of the best things about this Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta is how quickly it comes together. In just about 30 minutes, you can create a comforting, creamy pasta dish that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. Plus, the recipe is versatile enough to accommodate whatever you have on hand. You can swap the chicken for turkey, shrimp, or even ground beef if you prefer.
It’s also a one-pan recipe, which means less mess and less clean-up. The only dishes you’ll need to wash are the skillet, the pot for the pasta, and your serving plates. It’s a win-win!
Related Recipes to Try
If you loved this Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta, you might also enjoy these delicious recipes:
Conclusion
This Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food that’s both creamy and savory, making it the perfect dish for busy weeknights or special occasions. With its rich combination of chicken, bacon, and a velvety cream cheese sauce, every bite offers a satisfying burst of flavor. Plus, it’s quick, easy, and requires minimal clean-up, making it a go-to meal for anyone who loves hearty, home-cooked pasta.
The versatility of this recipe means you can easily swap ingredients based on what you have available, from using different pastas to adding extra vegetables or protein options. Whether you’re cooking for your family or impressing guests, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit. So, grab your skillet, gather your ingredients, and make this creamy, flavorful pasta tonight!
For more delicious recipes and meal inspiration, don’t forget to check out the links to related dishes that are equally mouthwatering and perfect for your next meal.
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Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta – Creamy & Savory Delight
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta is a creamy, savory dish packed with rich flavors. Tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a velvety cream cheese sauce make this pasta an irresistible weeknight dinner that’s quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package spaghetti
- 5 slices thick cut bacon
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water for later.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set aside, keeping a small amount of bacon drippings in the skillet.
- Cook the Chicken: In the same skillet, add the cubed chicken. Season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium heat for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: Add minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Add chicken broth and milk to the skillet, stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and add cream cheese cubes. Stir until the cream cheese melts into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine: Add the cooked chicken and crumbled bacon back into the skillet. Add the cooked spaghetti and toss everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Finish with Parmesan: Stir in grated parmesan and cook for an additional minute until melted.
- Serve: Garnish with more parmesan if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute any pasta for spaghetti, like penne or fettuccine, for a different texture.
- For an extra creamy sauce, use full-fat cream cheese.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, bacon chicken pasta, creamy pasta with bacon and chicken, savory chicken pasta, comfort food pasta, easy chicken dinner