This Chicken Bacon Spinach Penne is an incredibly creamy pasta dish with succulent chicken, crispy bacon, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, and a decadent Parmesan Alfredo all covered pasta. Quick and easy, it’s a one-pan meal — perfect for weeknights — that marries comfort food with fresh ingredients for an at-home dish that’s hearty, flavorful and satisfying for the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Loaded with Flavor: Chicken, bacon, and Parmesan form a rich, savory base, while fresh spinach and tomatoes provide brightness and balance.
Alfredo sauce is thick and creamy: The heavy cream and Parmesan melt into a creamy sauce that sticks to every bite of pasta.
All-in-One Meal: Protein, veggies and carbs mean this pasta dish is hearty and well-rounded, perfect for dinner.
Fast and Fuss-Free: Aside from some a little prep work, all you need is one skillet to make the sauce, so it’s a solid recipe for a tasty, easy-to-clean-up dinner.
Key Ingredients:
Penne Pasta: Penne is perfect for catching the creamy sauce, but other shapes like rigatoni or fusilli work here too if you prefer.
Chicken Breast: Cut the chicken into even bite-sized pieces so that they cook evenly — for the best texture. Chicken thighs can also be used in lieu for flavor.
Bacon: Crispy bacon brings saltiness and crunch. For time-saving, use the cooked bacon or bacon bits, but you’ll get the best flavor with fresh-cooked bacon.
Spinach: Fresh spinach adds a pop of color and a mild earthiness. Mince it finely enough that it incorporates well into the sauce. Baby spinach is best, but regular spinach is also fine.
Heavy Cream and Parmesan Cheese: These make the creamy Alfredo sauce. For a lighter option, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be a little thinner.
Chicken Broth: Adds depth to the sauce, and helps balance all that creamy goodness. Bros — low-sodium, to keep things salty.
