This creamy bacon and chicken pasta comes together in one pan for an easy, family-friendly weeknight dinner. It’s rich, delicious, and packed with protein.... the perfect comforting meal!
In a large skillet, on high heat, heat 1 tablespoons of olive oil until hot. Add chicken and cook on one side on high heat for 4-5 minutes. While it cooks, sprinkle the uncooked sides of the chicken with paprika and Italian seasoning. Flip the chicken over, and cook on the other side for 4-5 minutes on medium-high heat. Ensure chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and keep chicken warm.
In the meantime bring a large pot of water to boil, add pasta and cook it according to box instructions. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water and drain again.
To the same skillet (but without chicken), add chopped tomatoes, spinach, and half the bacon (already cooked and drained of fat). Mix everything.
Add half and half and bring to boil. Once boiling, add shredded parmesan cheese and immediately reduce to simmer. Stir while simmering, until the cheese melts and makes the sauce creamy, only about a minute. Then, immediately remove from heat.
Add cooked, drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Add the remaining half of bacon (cooked and drained of fat). Season with more salt if necessary. Slice the cooked chicken and place on top of the pasta. Top with shredded parmesan cheese if you'd like. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary by ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. Use them as a general guide, not a guarantee.Make-ahead tip: You can cook the chicken and bacon ahead of time to cut down on weeknight prep.Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. The sauce will thicken as it chills so you may want to add a little milk or broth when reheating.