Imagine a dish that combines the creamy decadence of Alfredo sauce, the crispy satisfaction of bacon, the tender juiciness of chicken, and the fresh pop of spinach - all perfectly twirled around your favorite pasta. This Chicken Alfredo with Bacon and Spinach isn't just a meal; it's a culinary experience that will transform your dinner table into a gourmet restaurant. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a restaurant-quality dish that's surprisingly easy to make at home!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Chicken breast
- Bacon
- Spinach
- Pasta
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Slice chicken breasts into thin strips. Chop bacon into small pieces. Mince garlic. Wash and roughly chop fresh spinach. Grate Parmesan cheese.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy and fat is rendered. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon grease in the pan.
- In the same skillet, season chicken strips with salt and pepper. Cook chicken in bacon grease over medium-high heat until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until cream starts to thicken.
- Gradually whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to adjust consistency.
- Add cooked chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh spinach to the sauce. Stir until spinach wilts and all ingredients are well combined and heated through.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, ensuring each pasta strand is evenly coated. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh cracked black pepper if desired. Enjoy your Chicken Alfredo with Bacon and Spinach!
Tips
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest, most flavorful sauce - pre-packaged cheese can make the sauce grainy.
- Don't overcook the chicken - aim for golden brown exterior and juicy interior. Use medium-high heat to achieve perfect browning.
- Reserve pasta water before draining - this starchy liquid is a secret weapon for adjusting sauce consistency and helping the sauce stick to the pasta.
- Sauté garlic briefly to prevent burning, which can make the sauce bitter. 30-45 seconds is the sweet spot.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh herbs like basil or parsley as a final garnish.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to thin it out. Add sparingly to maintain the creamy texture.
- Let the dish rest for a minute or two after combining all ingredients to allow flavors to meld together perfectly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
