Description
Hearty “cheesy bacon chicken pasta with broccoli” delivers comfort and flavor in one satisfying skillet. Crispy bacon, tender chicken, and creamy cheese sauce combine with green broccoli for a quick family dinner that brings everyone together at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts (diced)
- 4 slices bacon (chopped)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Pasta:
- 300 g (10 ounces) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite shape)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (warm)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil, submerging the pasta until it reaches an al dente texture according to package guidelines.
- Introduce broccoli florets into the boiling water during the final two minutes of pasta cooking, ensuring a crisp-tender consistency.
- Carefully drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander, allowing excess water to completely escape, then set aside momentarily.
- Meanwhile, crisp bacon slices in a spacious skillet over medium heat, rendering the fat and creating golden, crunchy fragments.
- Remove bacon pieces using a slotted spoon, transferring to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease, and reserve the flavorful bacon drippings in the pan.
- In the same skillet with residual bacon fat, sauté diced chicken pieces until they turn golden brown and achieve full internal cooking, ensuring no pink remains.
- Reduce heat and introduce heavy cream, shredded cheese, and minced garlic to the skillet, stirring continuously to create a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta and broccoli into the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring every morsel is generously coated.
- Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon pieces over the pasta, providing a delightful crunch and smoky essence.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or additional cheese if desired, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Check pasta doneness by tasting a strand, ensuring it’s al dente with a slight bite for perfect texture.
- Blanching broccoli in pasta water helps retain its vibrant green color and crisp-tender texture while saving time and dirty dishes.
- Use thick-cut bacon for a meatier crunch and more pronounced smoky flavor that complements the creamy chicken pasta.
- Consider gluten-free pasta or cauliflower rice for low-carb alternatives that maintain the dish’s delicious essence without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg