Description
This creamy chicken pasta combines tender chicken breasts, rich cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, crispy bacon, and fresh baby spinach over perfectly cooked fettuccine. A quick and flavorful dish ideal for an easy weeknight dinner that yields four hearty servings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 300g / 10 oz fettuccine
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Dairy
- 30g / 2 tbsp butter, separated
- 1/2 cup (125ml) dry white wine (substitute with more chicken broth if desired)
- 1/2 cup (125ml) low sodium chicken stock / broth
- 1 1/4 cups (315ml) thickened / heavy cream
- 3/4 cup (75g) parmesan, finely shredded
- More parmesan for serving
Vegetables and Extras
- 70g / 2.5oz baby spinach
- 100g / 3oz sun dried tomato strips
- 120g / 4oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine according to the package instructions, reducing the time by 1 1/2 minutes to keep the pasta slightly al dente. Just before draining, reserve a mugful of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat half the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken halves with salt and pepper, then cook in the skillet until golden and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Deglaze the pan with the white wine (or extra chicken broth), allowing it to reduce by half. Add the chicken stock and heavy cream, stirring to combine and letting the sauce thicken gently over medium heat.
- Combine ingredients: Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return to the skillet. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, and crumbled bacon to the sauce. Stir in the cooked pasta and parmesan cheese. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Serve: Plate the creamy chicken pasta and garnish with extra parmesan and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately for a comforting, delicious meal.
Notes
- Note 1: Use good quality fettuccine or any pasta of choice; cooking time varies by type.
- Note 2: Thickened or heavy cream is necessary for a rich and creamy sauce texture.
- Note 3: Freshly grated parmesan melts better and provides the best flavor.
- Note 4: Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy sweetness; use strips packed in oil for best flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute white wine with additional chicken broth for an alcohol-free version.
- The reserved pasta water helps to adjust sauce consistency and helps it cling to the noodles.
