Savory Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe for Dinner Joy

Hearty chicken and creamy cheese create magic in this irresistible bacon chicken pasta recipe that promises comfort in every delightful bite.

Crispy bacon pieces add a smoky crunch that perfectly complements the tender chicken chunks.

Melted cream cheese brings a luxurious smoothness to the entire dish, making each forkful incredibly satisfying.

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions, and this recipe delivers exactly what you crave.

Practical home cooks appreciate meals that come together effortlessly without sacrificing incredible flavor profiles.

Rich and indulgent, the combination of ingredients ensures a memorable dining experience that feels both sophisticated and approachable.

Grab a fork and prepare to be amazed by this mouthwatering culinary creation.

How To Store Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe Easily

• Refrigerate leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Keep the dish sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
• Separate the bacon and chicken from the creamy sauce if possible to help preserve texture.
• When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce's smooth consistency and prevent drying out.
• Microwave gently in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Never freeze this pasta dish, as the cream cheese sauce will separate and become grainy upon thawing.

Why Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe Is So Hard To Resist

• Speedster Weeknight Dinner: Whip up this delicious pasta in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Fusion: Combines the irresistible flavors of crispy bacon, creamy cheese, and tender chicken into one crowd-pleasing dish that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Ingredient Flexibility Champion: Easily customize the recipe by swapping ingredients or adding extra vegetables, making it a versatile meal that adapts to your pantry and preferences.
• Minimal Cleanup Hero: Uses just a few pots and pans, ensuring you spend more time enjoying your meal and less time scrubbing dishes after dinner.

What You Need For Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

Here’s the ingredient section based on the instructions:

• Pasta: Provides the base for this hearty and comforting dish, choose a shape that holds sauce well like penne or farfalle.
• Chicken: Adds protein and substance to the meal, boneless and skinless chicken breasts work best.
• Bacon: Brings rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture to the pasta.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a smooth and creamy sauce with tangy richness, full-fat version recommended for best texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds depth of flavor and salty notes, freshly grated preferred over pre-packaged.

• Garlic: Provides aromatic base and depth of flavor, fresh cloves offer more intense taste than pre-minced.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall taste of the dish.
• Italian Herbs: Adds traditional Mediterranean herbs like basil or oregano for extra complexity.

How To Make Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe Fast

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Get a large pot of water bubbling and pour in your pasta. Let it dance and swirl until it reaches that ideal tender-yet-firm stage. Once it’s looking amazing, drain away the water and set the pasta aside, ready for its flavor transformation.

Step 2: Sizzle the Bacon

Grab a skillet and let those bacon strips hit the hot surface. Listen to the delightful sizzle as they crisp up into golden, crunchy pieces. Once they’re looking irresistibly brown and crisp, transfer them to a paper towel to drain excess grease.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

In the same magical skillet with those bacon-infused drippings, add chicken pieces. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken turns a beautiful golden brown and is completely cooked through – no pink allowed!

Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce

• Cream cheese
• Milk
• Garlic powder
• Dried herbs

Stir everything until the cream cheese melts into a smooth, dreamy sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 5: Combine and Celebrate

• Cooked pasta
• Crispy bacon pieces
• Cooked chicken
• Creamy sauce

Mix everything until each pasta strand is gloriously coated with the incredible sauce.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Dish out your masterpiece into warm bowls. Sprinkle some extra crispy bacon bits on top for that perfect crunch. Prepare for a flavor explosion that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Helpful Tips For Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

• Maximize Bacon Crispiness: Pat bacon dry before cooking to ensure a perfect, crispy texture that adds a delightful crunch to your pasta dish.
• Control Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a satisfying bite that pairs wonderfully with the creamy sauce.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Remove the pan from heat when adding cream cheese to prevent curdling and create a smooth, velvety sauce that coats every pasta strand.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon or use plant-based alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences without sacrificing flavor.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Cook bacon and pasta in advance, storing separately to quickly assemble the dish when you're short on time or want a convenient meal prep option.

Perfect Pairings For Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of bacon and cream cheese, offering a bright, refreshing contrast that elevates the pasta's creamy texture.
• Complement with Fresh Salad: A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a zesty, peppery crunch that balances the heavy, indulgent pasta dish, adding freshness to each bite.
• Serve with Roasted Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread helps soak up the creamy sauce, creating delightful bites that merge the pasta's rich flavors with a crunchy, aromatic side.
• Match with Chilled Pinot Grigio: Another white wine option that brings a subtle acidity and clean finish, helping to cleanse the palate between bites of the decadent bacon chicken pasta.

Twists You’ll Love For Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Pasta: Replace bacon with chorizo and add diced jalapeños, chili powder, and pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Pasta: Swap bacon for crispy prosciutto, incorporate crumbled feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil for a Mediterranean-inspired dish.
• Vegetarian Spinach Cream Cheese Pasta: Eliminate chicken and bacon, instead add roasted bell peppers, sautéed spinach, and use smoked gouda for a rich vegetarian alternative.
• Pesto Chicken Ranch Pasta: Mix in homemade basil pesto, replace cream cheese sauce with ranch dressing, and top with crispy pancetta for a fresh herb-infused version.

Quick FAQs About Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

• What makes this pasta dish unique?

The combination of cream cheese and crispy bacon creates a rich, indulgent flavor profile that elevates a classic chicken pasta recipe, delivering a creamy and savory meal that’s both comforting and delicious.

• Can I use a different type of cheese if I don't have cream cheese?

Yes, you can substitute cream cheese with alternatives like mascarpone or ricotta, though cream cheese provides the best texture and tanginess for this specific recipe.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This chicken pasta can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, making it an excellent option for busy weeknights or quick lunches.

• How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Consider adding vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or roasted bell peppers to increase the nutritional value and add more color and texture to the pasta.

Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy bacon and chicken mingle in this irresistible pasta dish that promises comfort and flavor. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, delivering a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 3 cups (720 ml) cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine)
• 225 g (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Garnish Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water until perfectly tender, ensuring each strand is cooked to a delicate al dente texture. Carefully drain in a colander and reserve for later assembly.
2. Crisp bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, rendering the fat and transforming the strips into golden, crackling pieces. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
3. In the same skillet with residual bacon drippings, sauté chicken pieces, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Cook until the meat turns a rich, golden brown and becomes fully cooked through, with no trace of pink in the center.
4. Lower the heat and introduce cream cheese into the skillet, stirring continuously to create a smooth, velvety sauce that coats the chicken beautifully. Add a splash of pasta water to help the cream cheese melt uniformly.
5. Crumble the reserved bacon and sprinkle over the creamy chicken, gently folding to distribute the smoky, crisp bacon bits throughout the mixture.
6. Combine the prepared pasta with the cream cheese and chicken mixture, tossing gently to ensure every pasta strand is lavishly coated with the rich, creamy sauce.
7. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives for a burst of color and a hint of herbaceous freshness before serving the dish piping hot.

Notes

• Perfectly cook pasta by salting water generously and stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Choose thick-cut bacon for extra crispiness and robust flavor that adds depth to the dish.
• Opt for room temperature cream cheese to ensure smooth, lump-free sauce incorporation when mixing ingredients.
• Consider using gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste and texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg