Description
This One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Spinach and Bacon is a creamy, cheesy, and savory dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Made with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh spinach, this easy one-pot recipe is ready in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup!
Ingredients
Scale
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Protein & Dairy:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
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Pasta & Broth:
- 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
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Seasonings & Aromatics:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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Vegetables:
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon – Heat a large pot over medium heat. Cook chopped bacon until crispy (about 5 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the grease in the pot.
- Cook the Chicken – Add olive oil to the same pot. Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Sauté until golden and cooked through (5-6 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Cook the Pasta – Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir, add pasta, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
- Add Cheese & Spinach – Reduce heat. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted. Mix in spinach and cooked bacon, stirring until spinach wilts. Sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve & Enjoy – Let the pasta sit for 2-3 minutes to thicken before serving warm.
Notes
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm in a pan over low heat, adding broth or milk to loosen the sauce.
- Substitutions: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, swap chicken for shrimp, or try different cheeses like cheddar or Gouda.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, One-Pot Meals
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: one-pot chicken pasta, cheesy chicken pasta, bacon spinach pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy weeknight dinner