Chicken Bacon Pasta

Close up of Chicken and Bacon Pasta on a fork.
This Chicken Bacon Pasta is a quick, creamy dish with crispy bacon, tender chicken, and parmesan cheese. It's a delicious, satisfying meal that your whole family will love.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
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This Chicken Bacon Pasta combines savory chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy sauce, all in about 35 minutes. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that’s sure to please the whole family!

Chicken Bacon Pasta with parmesan in a bowl.

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You’re going to want to add this yummy pasta recipe to your meal plan!

This Chicken Bacon Pasta is exactly the type of meal that makes you feel cozy without the hassle. It’s simple, yet satisfying, and packed with all those rich flavors that make dinner feel like a treat.

We all know how hectic mealtimes can get when juggling family schedules, but this dish helps you get a delicious dinner on the table without stressing. You’ll be savoring every bite in no time!

Here’s how simple it is to make this recipe:

How to make chicken bacon pasta collage.

Ang’s Recipe Tips

  • Using freshly grated Parmesan makes a big difference in this pasta dish – in both the flavor and texture. Trust me, the pre-grated stuff doesn’t melt quite the same!
  • Make sure to cook the pasta until al dente—that little bit of bite adds a nice texture that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
  • Take care to cook the bacon so it’s not chewy, but also don’t overcook the bacon. It should be crispy, but still tender enough to mix with the pasta without getting too hard.
Slow cooker shredded chicken in a crockpot with tongs.

Meal Prep Tip: Crockpot Chicken

This all-purpose shredded chicken is one of my favorite meal prep hacks—it’s quick to throw in the crockpot and super versatile for busy weeknights. Use it in everything from tacos and casseroles to soups and sandwiches to save time (and stress!) when dinner rolls around.

Bonus: it freezes like a dream, so you can stock up for later and skip the last-minute scramble.

Storage

To Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.(These are my favorite airtight containers.)

To Reheat: Simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk to keep the sauce creamy and fresh.

I do not recommend freezing this dish.

Chicken Bacon Pasta with parmesan cheese.

Serving Suggestions

This easy chicken casserole is delicious with Italian breadsticks or garlic cheese bombs on the side. After all, who doesn’t love more carbs with their carbs?!

Since this is a rich and hearty casserole, I like to serve it with a fresh green salad and a light dressing like my lemon vinaigrette. It helps balance out the meal a little bit. Steamed or roasted veggies are also a great side dish. Try our sheet pan roasted vegetables or cowboy butter cauliflower bites.

Not ready to make this easy chicken and bacon pasta recipe yet?

Be sure to pin this recipe so you don’t lose it. I hope you and your family love this Chicken Bacon Pasta as much as mine does! If you’ve tried the recipe, I’d love to hear what you think—leave a comment below (a five-star rating is always appreciated!) I read every single comment myself.

Close up of Chicken and Bacon Pasta on a fork.

Chicken Bacon Pasta

This Chicken Bacon Pasta is a quick, creamy dish with crispy bacon, tender chicken, and parmesan cheese. It's a delicious, satisfying meal that your whole family will love.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Keyword: chicken bacon pasta
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 790kcal
Author: Ang Paris

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Ingredients

  • 16 oz penne pasta or other short pasta
  • 12 strips bacon chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • kosher salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup fresh Parmesan cheese grated
  • fresh parsley optional garnish

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to instructions on the package until al dente. Drain and set aside.
    16 oz penne pasta
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the cooked bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
    12 strips bacon
  • To the bacon fat, add the olive oil and add the cubed chicken. Season with salt and pepper and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
    2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 cups boneless, skinless chicken breasts, , kosher salt, black pepper
  • Add the fresh garlic to the same pan. Cook 1 minute until the garlic starts to become golden in color and fragrant.
    4 cloves fresh garlic
  • Deglaze the pan with chicken stock, using a wooden spoon to get all the browned bits off the bottom of the pan – these are tiny flavor bombs!
    1 cup chicken broth
  • Once the liquid is simmering, add the heavy cream. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens a little bit.
    2 cups heavy cream
  • Return the chicken to the pan and add the pasta. Toss with the sauce, then add the cheese and bacon pieces. Taste for seasoning, and additional salt or pepper if desired.
    kosher salt, 1 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, black pepper
  • Garnish with fresh parsley, if using, and serve hot.
    fresh parsley

Equipment

Notes

Note, if you are using shredded chicken, skip the olive oil. After cooking the garlic in the bacon grease, make the sauce, and then toss the shredded chicken and pasta together into the sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 790kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 605mg | Potassium: 714mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 985IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 211mg | Iron: 2mg
Please Note: I am not a registered dietitian. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
Tried this recipe? Pin It for Later!Mention @jugglingactmama or tag #jugglingactmama!
Chicken bacon pasta bite on a fork.
Chicken Bacon Pasta is perfect for busy nights when you want a quick and easy crowd-pleaser!

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There’s nothing like a delicious pasta dish! These quick, budget-friendly meals, like creamy tomato sausage pasta, are total lifesavers when you’re juggling a million things and still want something tasty without any dinnertime chaos. For those who like cheesy pasta, try our chicken broccoli pasta bake or garlic parmesan chicken pasta. This Caesar chicken pasta is always a big hit, too!

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