Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this cheesy bacon chicken pasta with broccoli, where creamy sauce hugs tender pasta and crispy bacon. Hearty ingredients combine for a satisfying meal that delivers rich flavors and wholesome goodness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 1 lb pasta (penne or rotini)
- 8 oz bacon
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Cheese Components:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by slicing into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Crisp bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and perfectly rendered, then transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease, leaving behind flavorful bacon drippings.
- In the same skillet with bacon drippings, sauté chicken cubes with minced garlic, seasoning with salt and black pepper, cooking until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Simultaneously, bring a large pot of salted water to rolling boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Steam broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until vibrant green and tender-crisp, avoiding overcooking to maintain nutritional integrity and textural contrast.
- Create luxurious cheese sauce by whisking heavy cream, chicken broth, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar in the skillet, allowing ingredients to meld and create a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Incorporate cooked pasta, chicken, bacon, and broccoli into cheese sauce, gently folding to ensure even distribution and coating of all ingredients.
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top, allowing residual heat to slightly melt the cheese and enhance overall flavor profile.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes before serving, allowing sauce to thicken and flavors to harmonize thoroughly.
Notes
- Customize chicken size uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent bite throughout the dish.
- Save pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency if needed, preventing dry or overly thick results.
- Switch to gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version, maintaining the rich and creamy texture of the original recipe.
- Reduce cheese and use light cream for a lower-calorie alternative without compromising the decadent flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 721
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1025 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 49 g
- Cholesterol: 159 mg