15-Minute Creamy Chicken & Bacon Pasta
Quick Family Dinner
Life gets busy, and sometimes dinner needs to be on the table faster than you can say “what’s for tea?” That’s where my new 15-Minute Meals series comes in. In Episode One, we’re starting with a real crowd-pleaser: Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta. It’s rich, comforting, and ready in the time it takes to set the table.
I’ll be honest with you—I’m currently a bit burnt out in the kitchen. I love cooking from scratch and feeding my family well. However, there are days when the thought of spending an hour over the stove feels overwhelming. That’s when I realized I’m probably not alone. Many of us are juggling work, kids, and general life. It’s just the daily grind, and sometimes we need meals that don’t take our last ounce of energy.
That’s why I decided to start this series. Fifteen minutes felt like the magic number. It is quick enough that even on my busiest days I can manage it. Yet, it is long enough to still put together something wholesome and tasty. I hope to make my own life easier by sharing these recipes. I also want to help others who might be feeling the same way.
To be honest, when I made this recipe in my YouTube video, it took 17 minutes. However, I didn’t have my stove top on full by mistake. I believe this meal is very doable in the time frame I have set.
Why 15-Minute Meals Matter
Fast food (homemade) doesn’t have to mean unhealthy or expensive. With a bit of planning, you can create budget-friendly dinners. They will be nourishing and family-approved. You can prepare these meals in the same time it would take to drive to town and grab takeaways. These recipes are ideal for busy parents or tired workers. They are also great for anyone who wants less stress in the kitchen while keeping the flavour.
I want this series to be a reminder that it’s okay to take shortcuts where you need them. Prepping ingredients earlier in the week, using frozen veggies, or keeping pasta and stock in the pantry aren’t cheats. They’re tools that help us get food on the table with less hassle.
Cooking should feel joyful, not like another chore. I hope these 15-minute dinners let you breathe. They allow you to sit down with your loved ones. You can still enjoy a hearty, homemade meal even on the busiest nights.
Creamy Chicken & Bacon Pasta
- Serves: 6
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 500 g dried pasta I used tagliatelle noodles as they cook in 7 minutes (or use penne, if you are not in a hurry)
- 1-2 chicken breasts or tenderloins, diced. Use as much or as little as you like
- 200 g bacon, chopped and diced
- 2-4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 Tbsp oil or butter
- 500ml heavy cream
- 1 tsp chicken stock powder
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (to garnish)
Method
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just tender. Then drain.
- While pasta cooks, heat oil in a large frying pan on high. Add bacon and chicken, start cooking, but don’t brown. It doesn’t have to cook all the way, as it will continue to cook while the sauce thickens.
- Pour in cream and chicken stock powder, stirring to combine. Add the lemon juice and simmer for roughly 7 minutes. Stir frequently, so the sauce doesn’t burn.
- While the sauce is still a thin consistency, add pasta, tossing to coat.
- Stir in cheese until melted and sauce is creamy
- Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
- If the sauce gets too thick add some water.
- Don’t stress if this takes you slightly longer to cook. I have made this dish more times than I can remember. Keep making it and you will get faster.
Stacey’s Kitchen Tips
- Speed it up: Dice chicken and bacon ahead of time and store in the fridge for a true 15-minute dinner.
- Budget hack: Swap cream for evaporated milk and add an extra handful of cheese for creaminess. I haven’t tried this myself, but I am sure it would work.
- Make ahead: Cook extra pasta and keep the sauce separate—combine just before serving for the best texture.
- Storage: Leftovers keep 2–3 days in the fridge. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or stock.
Variations & Serving Ideas
- Veg boost: Toss in a handful of frozen peas, spinach, or broccoli florets in the last few minutes.
- Spicy kick: Stir in a pinch of chilli flakes or a spoonful of mustard to the sauce.
- Gluten-free: Use your favourite GF pasta and check your stock is GF-friendly.
- Serve with a side salad: You can make this while the pasta and sauce are cooking. Keeping it true to the time limit.
Watch It on YouTube
Did I really make this creamy chicken and bacon pasta in just 15 minutes? Watch Episode One of my 15-Minute Meals series. Visit my video: 15 Minute Meals – Can I Do IT? | Chicken & Bacon Creamy Pasta to see if I beat the clock!
So that’s Episode One of my brand-new 15-Minute Meals series. This creamy chicken and bacon pasta has already become a lifesaver in my own kitchen. I hope it gives you the same sense of relief on those nights when time and energy are running low. It has been a family favourite for many decades. Now it is great to know I can use it for a dinner on the table in around 15-Minutes.
This is just the beginning. I’ve got more quick, hearty dinners lined up. These will help us all spend less time cooking. We will have more time enjoying the people around our table. Are you feeling a little burnt out in the kitchen? If so, I’d love for you to follow along with the series. Together we’ll build a collection of go-to meals that make life just that bit easier.
Stay tuned for Episode Two. In the meantime, give this recipe a try. You might be surprised just how much you can do in fifteen minutes!
More Recipes You Might Love
If you enjoyed this quick 15-Minute Creamy Chicken & Bacon Pasta, you might also like some of my other family favourites:
- Freeze-Ahead Scones – 5 Flavours – perfect to bake as a lunchbox filler.
- Homemade Garlic Oil – drizzle this over your pasta, bread, or veggies for extra flavour in seconds.
- Cheesy Bacon Bread Rolls – soft, hearty, and so good with creamy pasta dishes or soups.
15-Minute Creamy Chicken & Bacon Pasta
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g dried pasta I used tagliatelle noodles as they cook in 7 minutes or use penne, if you are not in a hurry
- 1-2 chicken breasts or tenderloins diced
- 150 g bacon chopped and diced
- 2-4 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 Tbsp oil or butter
- 500 ml heavy cream
- 1 tsp chicken stock powder
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (to garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just tender. Then drain.
- While pasta cooks, heat oil in a large frying pan on high. Add bacon and chicken, start cooking, but don’t brown. It doesn’t have to cook all the way, as it will continue to cook while the sauce thickens.
- Pour in cream and chicken stock powder, stirring to combine. Add the lemon juice and simmer for roughly 7 minutes. Stir frequently, so the sauce doesn’t burn.
- While the sauce is still a thin consistency, add pasta, tossing to coat.
- Stir in cheese until melted and sauce is creamy
- Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
- If the sauce gets too thick add some water.
- Don't stress if this takes you slightly longer to cook. I have made this dish more times than I can remember. Keep making it and you will get faster.
