Chicken Bacon Mushroom Pasta in a creamy, garlicky parmesan sauce. A quick and easy pasta dish that the whole family will love. Ready in under 30 minutes.
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The BEST Chicken Pasta recipe
Tender chunks of chicken, Baby Bella mushrooms, and crispy bacon tossed with pasta in the most incredible creamy garlic parmesan sauce. So full of flavor! My family goes bonkers over this pasta dish!
So quick and easy!
Quick and easy pasta dishes are a life saver for busy weeknights. Restaurant quality in under 30 minutes? I’m in!
Ingredients in Chicken Bacon Mushroom Pasta
- Chicken – juicy strips of tender chicken make this a one dish meal. Substitute with another protein or leave it out for a vegetarian meal.
- Bacon – adds a wonderful smoky, salty flavor. Use veggie bacon for a vegetarian version.
- Mushrooms – add a wonderful earthy flavor. I’ve used Baby Bellas here but use any kind you like.
- Pasta – I’ve used penne here but any shape will do.
- Cream – for the creamiest sauce with a silken texture. You can substitute half and half for a lighter sauce.
- Garlic – for the yumzzz.
- Parmesan – adds a wonderful umami dimension to the sauce.
- Bouillon cube – my favorite brand is Maggi. It adds a flavor boost to the dish. You can substitute chicken broth if desired.
How to make Chicken Bacon Mushroom Pasta
- This recipe calls for bacon that is cooked until crisp and crumbled chopped. I bake mine in a 350° F oven until crispy.
- For quicker, more even cooking, slightly flatten breasts with a kitchen mallet. If they are very thick, slice them in half horizontally before flattening. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over high heat. When pan is hot, add 1 tablespoon oil.
- When oil is hot, put chicken in pan and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and slice.
- Add remaining tablespoon oil to pan. Add onions and cook until softened.
- Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown.
- Add the garlic, stir, and cook for about 1 minute.
- Deglaze pan with water and bouillon cube, scraping bottom to release any bits sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add cream and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer. Let simmer 2-3 minutes then turn off heat.
- Add parmesan slowly, whisking constantly until melted.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add chopped bacon and parsley to sauce, then toss with pasta and chicken.
Can creamy pasta be made in advance?
Pasta in a creamy sauce will absorb some of the sauce as it sits, making the sauce thicker. For best results, cook the hot buttered pasta and the sauce but keep them separate until ready to serve.
Wrapping the pot of pasta in a blanket will keep it warm for hours. The sauce can be reheated gently without boiling on the stove. Toss the two together just before serving.
Recipe
Chicken Bacon Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne 500g or other pasta (cooked until al dente and tossed with 2 tablespoons butter)
- 12 oz bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled or chopped 340g
- 2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
- 1 lb chicken breasts or boneless, skinless thighs 454g
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 lb sliced mushrooms 454g
- 5 cloves garlic minced fine
- 1 chicken bouillon cube *see note
- 1 cup water 227g
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream 283g
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese 85g
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or a mix of thyme and oregano
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- For quicker, more even cooking, slightly flatten breasts with a kitchen mallet. If they are very thick, slice them in half horizontally before flattening. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over high heat. When pan is hot, add 1 tablespoon oil.
- When oil is hot, put chicken in pan and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and slice.
- Add remaining tablespoon oil to pan. Add onions and cook until softened.
- Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown.
- Add the garlic, stir, and cook for about 1 minute.
- Deglaze pan with water and bouillon cube, scraping bottom to release any bits sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add cream and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer. Let simmer 2-3 minutes then turn off heat.
- Add parmesan slowly, whisking constantly until melted.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add chopped bacon and parsley to sauce, then toss with pasta and chicken.
- Serve.
Notes
- My favorite brand of bouillon cube is Maggi. You can also use broth instead of bouillon and water.
Nutrition
Enjoy, friends!
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Elizabeth says
Hi, I was wondering if I wanted to avoid using cream given I don't have any; I was wondering if coconut cream/milk would give the same results and effects and taste.
Elizabeth says
Or if natural style greek yogurt would work either with or without milk, thanks.
Kelly says
Hi Elizabeth, You could try making a roux with 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour, then using milk in place of the cream and water. I would be concerned that yogurt would break in the sauce.
Natalie says
Going to make this tonight, but I'm wondering if I can use mozzarella instead of parmesan?
Kelly says
Hi Natalie, the flavor and texture will be different but it should work out ok!
Kate says
This was such a winner. Easy to put together and really delicious. I especially appreciated the tip about pounding the chicken to make sure it cooked evenly. This will now be added to our "repeat recipes".
Kelly says
So happy you liked it, Kate! Thanks so much!
Mark says
My parents are always pleased when their university-living kid can cook them something nice... and with this, how could I go wrong? It was delicious, thanks so much!
Kelly says
So happy you liked it! Thanks so much, Mark!
Poida says
Amazing recipe. Wife and I absolutely loved it. A new staple in this kitchen. Easy, quick and balanced flavours.
Kelly says
Thanks so much, Poida! So happy you liked it!
Pam says
Just finished eating this, so delicious!! Will definitely be making again! My super picky husband had seconds!
Kelly says
So happy you liked it, Pam!
Susan says
I'll be adding this to my list of make-at-home meals since we'll be eating at home a lot in the foreseeable future. Great recipe!
Kelly says
It's a great one to try! So easy and so delicious! Thanks, Susan!
All That I'm Eating says
This sounds like perfect weeknight cooking to me, I know I'd love this dish!
Kelly says
It's so satisfying! Thanks so much, Caroline!
Marcellina says
Yum! What a wonderful combination for a pasta sauce - chicken, bacon and mushrooms. Definitely putting this on my list to make!
Kelly says
It's so good! Thanks so much, Marcellina!
marcie says
This pasta sounds absolutely wonderful! The bacon and that garlic sauce would make everyone here very happy!
Kelly says
It's a big hit at our house! Thanks so much, Marcie!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Love the cream, mushroom, pasta combo. Add chicken and bacon? Can't resist. Can. Not. Resist. 🙂 Really nice -- thanks.
Kelly says
It's so good! Thanks so much, John!
Balvinder says
This sounds so tasty and I love pasta with chicken. I often make it for dinner.
Kelly says
Thanks so much, Balvinder!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
This is pure comfort food, Kelly - perfect for cold nights - and something the whole family can enjoy!
Kelly says
We love it! Thanks so much, Geraldine!