Creamy Crack Chicken With Beef Bacon (Printable)
Tender penne tossed in rich melted cheese sauce with seasoned chicken, crispy beef bacon, and fresh herbs for ultimate comfort.
# 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 pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain and set aside.
02 - Add chopped beef bacon to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until crispy, 5–6 minutes. Remove with 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 - Add butter and seasoned chicken to the skillet. Sauté 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Add garlic and cook 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 and incorporated.
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 Pointers:
01 -
- The beef bacon creates this incredible smoky depth that regular bacon just cant match, and its crispiness holds up beautifully in the creamy sauce
- Everything happens in one skillet while the pasta bubbles away, meaning maximum flavor with minimum cleanup
02 -
- The pasta water trick is absolute magic, if your sauce breaks or gets too thick, that starchy liquid brings everything back to silky perfection
- Beef bacon renders differently than pork, so don't be alarmed if it seems to take longer to get crispy, that extra time is worth every second
03 -
- Cut your chicken into slightly larger pieces than you think you need, they'll shrink during cooking and stay juicier than tiny cubes
- Toast your pasta in the dry pan for just a minute before boiling, it creates a nutty flavor that makes the final dish even more special