One-Pan Creamy Chicken, Bacon & Spinach Penne
Golden chicken, crispy bacon, tender spinach, and creamy cheese come together with penne pasta in this rich and comforting one-pan dinner. It’s easy enough for a busy weeknight and hearty enough to make everyone reach for seconds!
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 8 oz bacon, chopped
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil, if needed
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, optional
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving about 1–2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan.
- Brown the chicken: Season the chicken with paprika, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Add it to the skillet and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the onion to the same skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well, then add the uncooked penne. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the pasta: Cover and cook for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Add a splash of broth or water if needed.
- Make it creamy: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese and Parmesan until melted and smooth.
- Add everything back: Return the cooked chicken and crispy bacon to the skillet. Add the fresh spinach and stir until the spinach wilts, about 1–2 minutes.
- Finish: Sprinkle with mozzarella if desired and let it melt for a minute or two. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
Serve
Serve hot straight from the skillet with extra Parmesan on top. This creamy chicken, bacon, and spinach penne is a complete comfort-food dinner with minimal cleanup.