15-Minute Creamy Chicken & Bacon Pasta
A quick, creamy pasta loaded with tender chicken and crispy bacon. Ready in just 15 minutes, family-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner fast.
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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 diced chicken breast or diced tenderloins
- 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 chopped parsley 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. If the sauce gets too thick add some water.
- Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
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.
- 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.
Servings: 6 servings