I recently discovered a new favorite recipe that I just had to share: Cheesy Bacon Chicken Pasta with Broccoli. This dish is the perfect combination of savory and cheesy flavors, with a healthy dose of protein and veggies to make it a well-rounded meal.
To make this dish, you’ll need some basic ingredients like pasta, chicken, broccoli, and cheese. But the real star of the show is the bacon – it adds a smoky, salty flavor that takes this dish to the next level. The best part? It’s easy to make and can be ready in under 30 minutes, making it a great option for a quick weeknight dinner.
Table of contents
Recipe Overview
Ingredients List
For this recipe, I will need the following ingredients:
- 8 oz of penne pasta
- 2 chicken breasts
- 4 strips of bacon
- 2 cups of broccoli florets
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cooking Time and Servings
This recipe will take about 30 minutes to prepare and cook, and it serves 4 people.
To start, I will cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions and set it aside. Then, I will cook the chicken and bacon in a large skillet until they are golden brown and crispy. After that, I will add the broccoli florets and cook them until they are tender.
Next, I will add the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the skillet and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Finally, I will add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and stir until it is coated with the cheesy sauce.
This Cheesy Bacon Chicken Pasta with Broccoli is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The combination of chicken, bacon, broccoli, and cheese creates a flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Preparing the Chicken and Bacon
To start making Cheesy Bacon Chicken Pasta with Broccoli, I begin by preparing the chicken and bacon. I slice 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper. Next, I dice 6 slices of bacon and cook them in a pan over medium heat until they are crispy. Once the bacon is cooked, I remove it from the pan and set it aside on a paper towel to drain excess grease.
Cooking the Pasta
While the bacon is cooking, I bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz of pasta. I cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Once cooked, I drain the pasta and set it aside.
Adding the Broccoli
After the pasta is cooked, I add 2 cups of chopped broccoli florets to the same pot of boiling water. I cook the broccoli for about 2 minutes until it is bright green and slightly tender. Then, I drain the broccoli and set it aside.
Combining Ingredients and Seasoning
Now that all the ingredients are prepared, I combine the cooked chicken and bacon in a large pan over medium heat. I add 1 minced garlic clove and cook for about 2 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink. Next, I add 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the pan. I stir the ingredients until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Final Touches and Plating
After the cheese sauce is ready, I add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the pan and stir until everything is coated in the sauce. I season the dish with salt and pepper to taste. To serve, I divide the pasta between 4 plates and top each serving with the crispy bacon pieces.
That’s it! Cheesy Bacon Chicken Pasta with Broccoli is now ready to be enjoyed.