Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta With Crispy Beef Bacon Herbs (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken in rich creamy cheese sauce with crispy beef bacon and fresh herbs, served over perfectly cooked 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cook the 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 the chopped beef bacon. Cook until crispy, about 5–6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off excess fat, leaving 1 tbsp in the 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.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the 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.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The beef bacon brings this incredible smoky depth that regular bacon just cant match
  • Everything comes together in one pan, making the cleanup almost as satisfying as the meal itself
02 -
  • Dont skip reserving that pasta water it saves your sauce if it gets too thick
  • Let the cream cheese soften completely beforehand or you will end up with lumpy sauce
03 -
  • If the sauce breaks, whisk in a tiny splash of cold cream to bring it back together
  • Grate your own cheese from a block since pre shredded cheese has anti caking agents that make sauce grainy

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