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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Linguine with Crispy Bacon

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This creamy garlic parmesan chicken linguine with crispy bacon is a comforting, crowd-pleasing pasta dinner that comes together quickly with simple ingredients. The rich, velvety sauce clings to every strand of linguine, while crispy bacon and tender chicken make each bite irresistible.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz linguine (340g)
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb/450g), sliced thinly
  • 6 slices bacon (about 150g), chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g)
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (90g)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120ml)
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions (usually 9-11 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and fry until crispy, 6-8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil if needed and sear chicken 2-3 minutes per side over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Remove to a plate, let rest 2 minutes, then slice thinly.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant (do not brown). Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing to a gentle simmer while scraping up browned bits.
  5. Add parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth, 2-3 minutes. If sauce is thin, simmer 2-3 minutes more; if too thick, add reserved pasta water as needed.
  6. Add drained linguine, sliced chicken, and half the bacon to the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the sauce, adding pasta water a tablespoon at a time for a silky finish. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  7. Serve immediately, topped with remaining bacon, chopped parsley, and extra parmesan if desired.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated parmesan and avoid boiling the sauce after adding cheese. Save some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Add bacon just before serving for maximum crunch. Easily adapted for gluten-free or dairy-free diets with appropriate substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan chicken linguine, bacon pasta, easy chicken pasta, comfort food, weeknight dinner, parmesan sauce, pasta with bacon, chicken linguine, creamy pasta, family dinner

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