Chicken Bacon Pasta

Chicken Bacon Pasta - grilled chicken and bacon served over a creamy cheese sauce - The BEST pasta I have ever had. Seriously better than you'll find in any restaurant. You can make the chicken ahead and reheat it.

I've had this recipe on my to make list for a long time.  I can't believe I waited so long to try it; it was fantastic!  I did make a couple of changes to the recipe - I added chicken and cut the pasta in half (or doubled the sauce, if you will).  I really think both changes made the dish.

This recipes uses raw eggs.  Don't worry though - the eggs are cooked when you add the hot pasta and pasta water.  I thought this sounded a little like a carbonara.  I've never made Spaghetti Carbonara, but I've added it to the list after enjoying this dish.

Yield: serves 2

Chicken Bacon Pasta

prep time: 10 MINScook time: 15 MINStotal time: 25 mins

ingredients:

• 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and roughly chopped
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or less if you don't want the heat)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 pound penne pasta
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup cream cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 whole eggs
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 grilled chicken breast, sliced (I marinated the chicken in Lawry's Garlic & Herb marinade)

instructions:

1. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until done (according to package instructions).
2. Place cream and cream cheese in a small saucepan. Heat over low until cream cheese is melted, and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat. Add the parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and pepper and whisk until blended.
3. Drain pasta (reserving 1/2 cup of hot water) and return to pot. Immediately add the white sauce and toss to coat. The hot pasta will cook the eggs. Stir in the bacon, and add some reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.  Top with grilled chicken.

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