Savory Chicken Bacon Spinach Penne for a Comforting and Flavorful Meal
This dish combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh spinach with creamy Parmesan sauce, all tossed with penne pasta for a comforting and flavorful meal that is perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb penne pasta
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Lower the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Return the cooked chicken and bacon to the skillet. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss until everything is well coated in the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg