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Chicken Bacon Spinach Pasta
This Chicken Bacon Spinach Pasta recipe has penne that's tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce with tomatoes, spinach, and bacon! Your family will think this came from a restaurant!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 688 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast, large in size
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning a combo of thyme, oregano, & basil
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- 4 bacon strips
- 3/4 lb. penne pasta
Alfredo
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 + 1/3 cups Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 cups spinach uncooked
Instructions
- Shred the Parmesan cheese and set it aside to allow it to get to room temperature.
- In a large cast-iron skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil on medium-high heat.
- Butterfly the chicken breast and cut the seam to create 2 thinner slices, each about an inch thick. Season each side generously with Italian seasoning and desired amounts of salt and pepper.
- Sear the chicken in the hot skillet on each side. Refrain from moving the chicken around as it sizzles, it will hinder the nice golden sear color. If the pan gets too hot, reduce the heat to medium. Each side will take 3-5 minutes. Once each side is a nice, golden brown and the middle is cooked, set the chicken aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and add the bacon to the same skillet. Low and slow is the best way to cook bacon.
- While the bacon cooks, prepare the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Once the bacon is cooked and crisp on each side, use tongs to remove it from the pan. Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan, and add the garlic. Cook for about 60 seconds.
- Increase the heat to medium and gradually add in the flour, whisking constantly.
- Temper the half and half by heating it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Add the half and half to the skillet and increase the heat to medium-high, stirring constantly. Once it starts to lightly bubble, decrease the heat to low.
- Slowly sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring as you do so.
- Once well-combined, add the tomatoes, spinach, and red pepper flakes. Cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes have softened slightly. Use a silicone spatula to gently mix in the penne.
- Slice the chicken into strips and place it back in the pan, over the pasta. Sprinkle the top with bacon, and serve!
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
688kcal
(34%)
Carbohydrates
65g
(22%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
34g
(52%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Cholesterol
67mg
(22%)
Sodium
741mg
(31%)
Potassium
511mg
(15%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
2285IU
(46%)
Vitamin C
13.9mg
(15%)
Calcium
524mg
(52%)
Iron
2.4mg
(13%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 688
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 688kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 65g | 22% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 34g | 52% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 67mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 741mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 511mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 2285IU | 46% |
| Vitamin C | 13.9mg | 15% |
| Calcium | 524mg | 52% |
| Iron | 2.4mg | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.