Creamy Chicken Bacon Penne Pasta

The creamy chicken bacon pasta is a classic and a definite crowd favorite! A dish that is packed with a Parmesan creamy sauce, perfectly seasoned chicken, garlicky goodness, BACON & more. This dish is so rich and hearty, it will not disappoint.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of bacon

• 2-3 pieces of chicken breasts sliced in half

• heavy whipping cream (2 cups)

• Parmesan cheese block (2 cups shredded)

• bag of baby spinach

• cherry tomatoes sliced in half

• 5 cloves of garlic minced

• Penne pasta 16 oz box

• salt & pepper to taste

• crushed red pepper

• 2 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• 2 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Fill up a pot with water and bring to a boil. Once it is boiling, salt the water and add the pasta to cook for about 11-12 minutes. The time should specify on the box or package. Occasionally stir so the pasta does not stick together. When done, drain the pasta water in a colander.

2. Heat up a large skillet on a medium to low heat and cook the bacon until crispy. Once cooked, set on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb excess grease. Then set aside the remaining bacon grease to use later on in the recipe.

3. 2-3 teaspoons of the bacon grease goes back in to the pan. Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Cook the chicken throughly until it is no longer pink and has a nice golden color on the outside. When the chicken is cooked, set it aside on the plate with the bacon.

4. Heat up a non stick pot on low to medium heat with 2-3 teaspoons of the bacon grease and add the minced garlic. Once the garlic has turned a nice golden color, add in the freshly washed whole bag of baby spinach and sliced cherry tomatoes. Sauté until the spinach has wilted.

5. Add the heavy cream and simmer until it thickens. Add in paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Once the sauce thickens, add the shredded Parmesan and stir until it has melted.

6. Add the cooked pasta into the sauce, as well as the chopped pieces of bacon and sliced pieces of chicken. *Side note: I'll save some of the pieces of bacon and sliced chicken to garnish over the top of the pasta for a more presentable look.*

7. Shred additional Parmesan cheese over the top and finish it with black pepper.

ENJOY! Also please remember to snap a picture and put #CookingWithTanya or @cooking.with.tanya so I can see your masterpiece.

You can also easily substitute shrimp for chicken for my pescatarian friends. The recipe can be modified in any way to adapt to your dietary needs. Subbing turkey bacon for traditional bacon, or leaving the bacon out entirely. I guarantee regardless of any modifications the dish will come out delicious!