Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta

Updated at: Sun, 14 Apr 2024 12:18:28 GMT

Step 1

In a large skillet, on high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil until hot. Add chicken that’s seasoned with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and smoked paprika, cook on one side on high heat for 1 minute. Flip the chicken over, and cook on the other side for 1 minute on high heat. Reduce heat to medium, flip chicken over again and cook, covered, for several minutes until no longer pink in the center. Remove chicken from the pan and keep chicken warm. Slice into strips once it’s not too hot

Step 2

To the same pan (but without chicken), add chopped tomatoes, spinach, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and black pepper, crushed red pepper. Once that’s done in add ⅓ of the chicken strips, and half the cooked bacon, mix everything.

Step 3

In the meantime bring a large pot of water to boil, add pasta and cook it according to instructions. Drain the pasta, but leave 1/2 cup of pasta water. Rinse with cold water and drain again.

Step 4

Add half and half and bring to boil. Only after half and half starts boiling, add shredded Parmesan cheese – immediately reduce to simmer and stir, while simmering, until the cheese melts and makes the sauce creamy, only about 1 minute (at most 2 minutes). Then, immediately remove from heat. Season with more crushed black pepper and salt, if needed.

Step 5

Add pasta to the skillet with the sauce. If you need the pasta water you can use it here to mix the sauce and pasta properly. Season with more salt if necessary. To serve, top the pasta with the remaining chicken strips, bacon, parsley, and shredded Parmesan cheese.

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