The Creamiest Chicken Pasta Recipe Your Family Will Adore

Pasta nights just got a delicious twist with this creamy chicken pasta that promises comfort in every bite.

Savory aromas will fill your kitchen as tender chicken mingles with silky sauce.

Layers of rich flavors create a memorable meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this recipe a go-to for busy home cooks.

Cheese and herbs add depth to the classic combination of protein and noodles.

Smooth textures and hearty portions ensure everyone leaves the table satisfied.

Grab a fork and dive into a dish that turns ordinary ingredients into something spectacular.

Why Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta Is the Ultimate Comfort Meal

• Conquer Complex Flavors: Elevate your cooking skills with a restaurant-quality dish that combines creamy textures and savory bacon-infused chicken in one delightful pasta.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add vegetables to make this recipe uniquely yours, perfect for adapting to personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by using a single skillet for cooking bacon, chicken, and creating a luxurious sauce, making meal preparation surprisingly simple.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Satisfy everyone from picky eaters to discerning food lovers with a crowd-pleasing pasta that delivers rich, comforting flavors guaranteed to impress.

Everything You’ll Need for Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat cubes that provide the main protein for the creamy pasta dish.
• Bacon: Crispy strips that add a smoky, savory flavor and crunchy texture to the recipe.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and velvety base for the sauce.
• Cream Cheese: Adds extra creaminess and helps thicken the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides a sharp, salty flavor and helps bind the sauce.

• Fettuccine: Flat, wide pasta that perfectly holds the creamy sauce.
• Garlic Cloves: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the dish.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the recipe.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the seasoning.

• Olive Oil: Used for cooking and adding a light flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh garnish to the finished dish.

Simple Steps to Make Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Crisp Up Bacon

Place bacon strips in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until golden and crispy, creating delightful crunchy pieces. Remove bacon and set aside, keeping those flavorful drippings in the pan.

Step 2: Cook Chicken Perfectly

Drop chicken cubes into the same skillet with bacon drippings. Season with salt and black pepper while cooking. Sauté until chicken turns fully cooked and develops a beautiful light brown color.

Step 3: Awaken Garlic Flavors

Sprinkle minced garlic into the skillet. Quickly sauté for less than a minute, releasing its aromatic essence without burning.

Step 4: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Fill a pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Submerge fettuccine and cook until it reaches al dente texture. Before draining, carefully set aside some pasta water for later use.

Step 5: Create Velvety Sauce

Lower skillet heat and pour in heavy cream. Gently stir to blend with chicken and garlic. Allow sauce to simmer softly.

Step 6: Melt Cream Cheese

Add cream cheese to the skillet. Whisk continuously until it melts completely, transforming the sauce into a silky smooth mixture.

Step 7: Incorporate Parmesan

Introduce parmesan cheese, stirring constantly to prevent clumping. If sauce appears too thick, slowly incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.

Step 8: Combine and Finish

Drain pasta and immediately transfer to the creamy sauce. Toss thoroughly to ensure even coating. Sprinkle crispy bacon pieces throughout.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Top with freshly chopped parsley and an extra generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Helpful Tips for Creamy Chicken Pasta Success

• Select Bacon Carefully: Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispy texture that adds delightful crunch to the pasta dish.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk cream cheese slowly and maintain low heat to ensure a smooth, velvety sauce without lumps or breaking.
• Maximize Pasta Water Magic: Save pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency, helping it cling perfectly to fettuccine noodles.
• Boost Protein Options: Swap chicken with grilled shrimp or diced turkey for a quick protein alternative that maintains the recipe's creamy essence.
• Control Cream Sauce Thickness: Add reserved pasta water incrementally if sauce becomes too thick, creating a silky, restaurant-quality texture.

Tasty Twists for Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Pasta: Add diced jalapeños and red pepper flakes to the skillet for a fiery kick. Increase heat intensity by including cayenne pepper or hot sauce during cooking.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Pasta: Incorporate oregano, basil, and thyme into the sauce. Replace parmesan with crumbled feta cheese and sprinkle sun-dried tomatoes for an authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Smoky Chicken Pasta: Substitute regular bacon with smoked bacon or pancetta. Add a dash of smoked paprika and liquid smoke to enhance the smoky undertones in the creamy sauce.
• Pesto Chicken Pasta: Stir in homemade or store-bought basil pesto during the final stages of sauce preparation. Top with toasted pine nuts and additional fresh basil leaves for extra freshness and texture.

Best Pairings for Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Boost Flavor with Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy sauce and cut through rich chicken flavors.
• Enhance Texture Contrast: Serve a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette alongside the pasta to provide a fresh, tangy counterpoint to the heavy, creamy dish.
• Match Protein Profiles: Add crusty garlic bread to soak up extra sauce and provide a crunchy texture that balances the smooth pasta and tender chicken.
• Elevate Herb Notes: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the pasta to introduce a nutty undertone that enhances the parsley's freshness and adds subtle crunch.

How to Store Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta for Later

• Store leftover creamy chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Transfer pasta to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight room for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm gently in microwave or stovetop, adding splash of milk or pasta water to restore creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sauce separation and ensure even heating.
• Keep pasta and sauce separate when storing if possible. Combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent sauce from becoming grainy or oily.

FAQs for Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta Made Easy

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Fettuccine is ideal due to its wide, flat shape that captures the creamy sauce perfectly, but you can also use linguine or penne as alternatives.

• Can I make this dish lighter or healthier?

Use whole wheat pasta, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, and consider using low-fat cream cheese to reduce overall calories while maintaining flavor.

• How do I prevent the cream sauce from breaking or becoming grainy?

Always keep the heat low when adding dairy ingredients, whisk continuously, and add cheese gradually to ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.

• Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients like cream cheese are certified gluten-free.

Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delightful Creamy Chicken Pasta brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with rich, velvety sauce and tender chicken. Perfectly balanced flavors and simple ingredients make this dish a quick weeknight favorite you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 0.5 lb bacon

Pasta and Dairy:

• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup cream cheese

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Dice chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes and slice bacon into thin strips.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook bacon until crispy and golden, about 5-6 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
3. In the same skillet, sauté chicken cubes until fully cooked and lightly browned, approximately 6-7 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper during cooking.
4. Mince garlic cloves finely and add to the skillet, cooking for 30-45 seconds until fragrant without burning.
5. Boil fettuccine in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
6. Reduce skillet heat to medium-low and pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine with chicken and garlic. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
7. Add cream cheese to the skillet, whisking until completely melted and sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
8. Fold in parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to prevent clumping. If sauce seems thick, gradually add reserved pasta water.
9. Drain pasta and immediately add to the creamy sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Incorporate crispy bacon pieces.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving hot.

Notes

• Slice chicken and bacon uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming.
• Use high-quality, freshly grated parmesan for richer, more authentic flavor that melts smoothly into the sauce.
• Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water gradually, creating a silky, clingy coating for the noodles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 700
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg