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Golden Honey Garlic Chicken & Crispy Bacon Pasta in a Silky Parmesan Cream Sauce

A decadent pasta dish featuring golden honey garlic chicken, crispy bacon, and a silky Parmesan cream sauce that comes together in under an hour.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices chicken bacon, chopped
  • 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 10 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Leave about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan.
  4. Add the sliced mushrooms to the drippings and cook until they release their liquid and begin to brown, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  5. Return the chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with honey and stir to coat evenly.
  6. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Add the cooked pasta and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and coats the pasta. Fold in the crispy bacon.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan or fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

The bacon used in this recipe is chicken bacon for a lighter option, but regular pork bacon works just as well. For a thinner sauce, add an extra splash of chicken broth or cream.

  • Author: Chef Stella
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Method: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American-Italian

Nutrition

  • Calories: 850
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Fat: 54 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Protein: 48 g