Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta With Crispy Beef Bacon Herbs (Print Version)

Tender chicken in rich creamy cheese sauce with crispy beef bacon and fresh herbs over perfectly cooked pasta.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 large chicken breasts, diced
02 - 8 slices beef bacon, chopped

→ Pasta

03 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

→ Dairy & Cheese

04 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
05 - ½ cup heavy cream
06 - 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Vegetables & Herbs

08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
10 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
11 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

→ Spices & Seasoning

12 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
13 - ½ tsp garlic powder
14 - ½ tsp onion powder
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Cook the pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add the chopped beef bacon. Cook until crispy, about 5–6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off excess fat, leaving 1 tbsp in the skillet.
03 - Season diced chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - In the same skillet, add butter and seasoned chicken. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
05 - Lower heat. Stir in cream cheese and heavy cream, whisking until smooth and melted. Add reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
06 - Mix in cheddar cheese until melted.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Stir in spring onions, half the crispy beef bacon, and half the fresh herbs. Divide onto plates and top with remaining beef bacon and herbs. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The beef bacon adds this incredible smoky depth that makes people pause and ask whats different
  • This sauce comes together faster than delivery would arrive and tastes infinitely better
02 -
  • The pasta water trick is what separates home cooks from restaurant chefs so dont skip it
  • Beef bacon crisps faster than pork so keep an eye on it or itll burn and taste bitter
03 -
  • Let the cream cheese sit on the counter for an hour before cooking to avoid any lumpy sauce moments
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning it'll sear much better and develop deeper color

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