Chicken Bacon Spinach Penne

Ingredients:

6 bacon strips

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound boneless and skinless chicken (thick in size, such as chicken breasts)

salt and pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon butter

3 garlic cloves (minced)

4 small tomatoes (diced)

2 cups spinach

1 1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (more, if desired)

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

1.5 cup heavy cream

1 cup Parmesan cheese shredded (more for garnish)

Pasta:

10 oz. penne pasta

2 tablespoons Parsley (chopped)

Instructions:

BACON: Add bacon strips to the skillet and cook until crispy.

Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined platter that will absorb extra grease.

Chop into 1 inch pieces.

CHICKEN: Paper towel dry the chicken and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Then set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet.

Add chicken breasts and cook on each side on medium high heat for about 4 minutes per side (for a total of 8 minutes) until nicely browned.

If chicken is still pink in the center, reduce heat to medium and cook covered for several minutes until no longer pink in the center.

Remove chicken from pan and slice it.

Add butter to the hot pan and once it melts, add chopped garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Add tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes on medium high until tomatoes release their juices.

Add fresh spinach and cook until it wilts.

Reduce the heat and season with paprika, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes and salt. Mix.

Next add heavy cream and slowly add Parmesan cheese – until the cheese melts and makes the sauce creamy.

PASTA: In the meantime bring a large pot of water to boil, add pasta and cook it according to instructions.

Drain the pasta, but do not rinse.

Add sliced chicken, bacon and pasta.

Next add chopped parsley.

Stir until fully coated in sauce.

Season with more salt if necessary.

TO SERVE: Serve with additional shredded Parmesan and red pepper flakes, if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yields: 4 | Serving Size: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute penne pasta with your preferred pasta shape such as fusilli, rigatoni, or spaghetti.

Adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?

Yes, you can use turkey bacon as a healthier alternative to regular bacon.

Keep in mind that the taste and texture may vary slightly.

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach?

Yes, you can use frozen spinach in this recipe. Thaw and drain the frozen spinach before adding it to the dish.

Adjust the quantity as needed.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?

While heavy cream provides a richer and creamier texture, you can substitute it with milk, but the sauce may be lighter in flavor and consistency.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version, you can omit the bacon and chicken.

Increase the amount of vegetables, such as adding more tomatoes or mushrooms, and use vegetable broth or a plant-based cream substitute instead of heavy cream.

Can I use pre-cooked bacon in this recipe?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked bacon instead of cooking it fresh.

Simply heat it up before chopping it into pieces and adding it to the dish.

Can I use bone-in chicken instead of boneless chicken breasts?

Yes, you can use bone-in chicken for this recipe.

Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as bone-in chicken may require a longer cooking time to ensure it’s fully cooked.

Can I substitute the heavy cream with a lighter alternative?

If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can use half-and-half or a combination of milk and cream instead of heavy cream.

However, keep in mind that the sauce may be less rich and creamy.

Can I add other vegetables to the dish?

Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipe by adding additional vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.

Sauté them along with the garlic and spinach.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

While it’s best to enjoy the dish immediately after cooking, you can make it ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve.

Keep in mind that the pasta may absorb some of the sauce, so you may need to add a bit of additional liquid or cream when reheating.