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Creamy Honey BBQ Chicken Bacon Pasta with Bright Lemon and Wilted Spinach

A creamy, smoky, and tangy pasta dish featuring honey BBQ chicken, crispy bacon, wilted spinach, and a bright lemon finish.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 6 strips bacon, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup honey BBQ sauce
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

  1. Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan.
  3. Add olive oil to the same skillet. Season diced chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in heavy cream, chicken broth, and honey BBQ sauce. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
  7. Return cooked chicken and bacon to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and lemon juice. Toss everything together until well coated in the sauce.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with extra lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. Adjust BBQ sauce sweetness to taste.

  • Author: Chef Stella
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Method: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Fat: 32g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Protein: 35g