Description
Creamy chicken bacon spinach penne combines classic Italian flavors with comfort food satisfaction. Savory ingredients meld perfectly, creating a hearty meal that delights palates and satisfies hunger in one delicious dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 oz penne pasta (gluten-free brown-rice penne optional)
- 1 lb chicken (skinless, boneless breasts or tenderloins)
- 6 strips bacon (cooked, drained, chopped)
- 3 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup cooked spinach)
- 5 medium tomatoes (coarsely chopped)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (plus 1/2 cup for serving)
- 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp mixed Italian seasoning (thyme, oregano, basil)
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4 minutes on one side, seasoning the uncooked side with paprika, Italian seasoning, and salt. Flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Reduce heat to low-medium, cover, and continue cooking chicken until fully done and no longer pink. Remove chicken and set aside in a warm location.
- Using the same skillet, bring heavy cream to a boil. Add Parmesan cheese, reduce heat to simmer, and stir continuously for 1-3 minutes until cheese melts and sauce becomes creamy.
- Incorporate tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and red pepper flakes into the Alfredo sauce. Stir over medium heat until spinach wilts. Add one-third of sliced chicken and half the bacon, mixing thoroughly.
- Simultaneously, boil a large pot of water and cook penne pasta for 10-15 minutes until al dente. Drain pasta completely.
- Transfer drained pasta directly into the skillet with sauce. Return to low heat, gently reheating and mixing. Add remaining bacon and chicken strips to blend flavors.
- Serve hot, sprinkling additional Parmesan cheese on top for enhanced taste and visual appeal.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and create a more flavorful sear.
- Low-sodium options work great for those watching salt intake, allowing personal seasoning control.
- Gluten-free pasta can seamlessly replace traditional penne for individuals with wheat sensitivities.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or milk alternatives for a lighter, lower-calorie sauce version.
- Fresh spinach provides maximum nutrients, while frozen spinach works as a convenient budget-friendly substitute.
- Vegetarian adaptation is possible by replacing chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh cubes.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and reduce overall kitchen time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 635 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg