This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Easy Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Bacon - made with creamy alfredo sauce! This simple recipe is packed with protein and veggies!
There are so many ways to combine chicken and pasta. One of my most favorite recipes ever is sun-dried tomato chicken pasta. I am also partial to chicken and bacon pasta with tomatoes and spinach. Chicken, veggies, pasta and cream sauce are always an excellent combination.
This pasta dish has all of my favorite ingredients: creamy broccoli, bacon, and chicken breast. Everything is combined together in a delicious creamy Parmesan sauce.
Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Bacon
- Moist and juicy chicken. This Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Bacon is one of the best ways to cook chicken breast! The chicken breast is flavorful and juicy as it is smothered in a silky creamy sauce that keeps it moist and tender. You will never want to eat a boring chicken breast after cooking it this way. Your family will love it!
- Perfect for leftover cooked chicken. This is also a great recipe for using any leftover cooked chicken that you might have in your fridge. Just combine it with broccoli, pasta and the creamy sauce, and your dinner is ready!
- Creamy alfredo sauce. Chicken broccoli pasta is tossed in a creamy sauce made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. The sauce is super easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients.
- Protein and veggies. I personally prefer to add more stuff to just plain creamy pasta. That's why this recipe is loaded with seared chicken breast, broccoli, and cooked bacon. This is a great recipe for those who want protein (chicken) and veggies in their dinner.
FAQ
- What pasta can I use in this recipe? Use any type of long pasta. You can use fettuccine, spaghetti, or linguine.
- What is fettuccini? Fettuccine is a type of pasta that is long, flat, and wide. It's very popular in Italy, and in the US, too.
- What is a good substitute for broccoli in pasta? If you don't have broccoli, you can use asparagus or spinach.
Ingredients you will need:
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
- garlic
- heavy cream
- milk
- Parmesan cheese shredded
- fettuccine pasta (for a gluten-free version, use gluten-free brown rice fettuccine)
- boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- broccoli
- bacon
How to make Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Bacon
- First, cook the chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper in a large skillet on medium heat. You can also use leftover cooked chicken. Slice the chicken into thin slices.
- Next, in the same skillet make the cream sauce. Add minced garlic with heavy cream and milk. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer. Stir in the cheese. Keep stirring until it completely melts into a creamy sauce.
- Then, cook the pasta according to instructions. Drain.
- Finally, combine everything together: cooked pasta, cooked bacon, broccoli, and cream sauce. Mix.
- Season with salt and pepper. Top with sliced cooked chicken.
Side dishes
- Baguette
- Italian garlic bread
- Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Cranberry Spinach Salad with Cashews and Goat Cheese
- Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Toasted Almonds
- Beet Salad with Spinach
More Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipes
- Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Pasta
- Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
- Chicken Broccoli Spaghetti with Golden Mushroom Sauce
Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Bacon
Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Bacon is an easy dinner that a whole family will love! Great recipe for those who want protein (chicken) and veggies in their creamy pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast boneless and skinless
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ⅔ cups heavy cream
- ⅔ cups milk
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta (for gluten free version, use gluten free brown rice fettuccine)
- 2 cups broccoli florets , blanched
- 7 strips bacon
Instructions
- Heat olive oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet.
- Cook chicken breast on high heat for 2 to 4 minutes on each side, until browned. Remove the skillet from heat and keep the chicken covered. The chicken will continue cooking in its own steam until no longer pink. Remove chicken from the skillet. You can also use pre-cooked chicken. Cut chicken into thin slices.
- Add minced garlic to the same (now empty) skillet, with oils and bits left from cooking the chicken.
- Add heavy cream, milk, bring to boil. Reduce to simmer. Add cheese and stir till it completely melts into a creamy sauce.
- Cook pasta according to instructions. Drain.
- Add cooked pasta, cooked bacon, cooked broccoli to the creamy sauce and mix everything in.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with sliced cooked chicken.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information
Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Bacon
Amount per Serving
Calories
809
% Daily Value*
Fat
45
g
69
%
Saturated Fat
20
g
125
%
Cholesterol
173
mg
58
%
Sodium
983
mg
43
%
Potassium
881
mg
25
%
Carbohydrates
50
g
17
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
4
g
4
%
Protein
48
g
96
%
Vitamin A
1175
IU
24
%
Vitamin C
42.9
mg
52
%
Calcium
411
mg
41
%
Iron
1.9
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
About how long do you leave chicken covered til it is temp safe and no longer pink?
About how long do you leave the chicken covered to cook til it's temp safe and no longer pink?
This was delish! I omitted the broccoli as my family does not eat, but added to my plate once done. I used 2 tbs of butter to olive oil and used the Italian style cheese plus a lil extra parmesan. Definitely will make again.
This looks super good and really easy. Thanks for sharing!
Can this be made ahead of time and put in the oven to heat through before serving?
My sauce turned into a clumpy mess, what did I do wrong??
I just made this and it curdled I think, it's a big clumpy mess. I followed the directions. It smells delicious, take out for tonight. 🙁
your pan was probably too hot 🙁
some times it takes a while for the cheese to melt. Make sure to turn off heat and stir until smooth.
Yes, it's key to make sure the pan and the liquids are hot enough to melt the cheese. Sometimes it just requires patience (and medium heat), or just make sure to heat the pan really well and bring all the liquids to boil before reducing the heat.
Made this tonight and it was a hit! Thanks for the recipe!
My family are not keen on traditional Sunday lunches but this one was a massive hit thanks
This looks amazing! Question: should the chicken be wrapped in foil for it to continue cooking? Or is there another way your recommend?
This was So good. I also used a bit of the bacon grease for the chicken but didn't feel so bad bcuz it had no nitrates it preservatives. And I added a lil bit of butter right before I added the cream. The only thing is that I bought the pre-shreded cheese and its not as creamy will not cut corners next time and I think I'll use Shrimp & maybe thinner noodles. So many veggies O can't wait to make it again. Pot Luck!
Adorei! Because I could have an alternative kind of sauce. Since I always make spaghetti
only. Thanks a lot. More power to you, Julia.
This was AMAZING.
I am one of "those" people who hate broccoli. Any substitute?? The rest sounds great!!
I made this and used asparagus instead of broccoli
maybe spinach?
Use anything you want, so long as it won't disintegrate while cooking. Zucchini or summer squash would both be good substitutes; just make sure you seed them. Eggplant would also be good. So would spinach; just make sure you chop it up, and add it at the very end and stir it in just until it wilts. otherwise the dish will have a strange taste.
If you haven't already tried, I'll bet spinach would be a delicious substitute.
Peas!
Cauliflower?
Try using cauliflower in place of broccoli.
Cauliflower is literally like broccoli ...but it's white
They taste totally different.
Wow, so many great suggestions! Thank you!
You can also use the tiny green beans. Heir covair? All I know is if you cut them up into 2" pieces and saute for a few minutes they work REAL WELL in this recipe.!
I've made it without the broccoli, still delish
No flavor. The sauce was so bland! I added more salt and pepper to each plate trying to make flavor. I won’t make this again.
i made this tonight and it was delicious! all 4 of the family members loved it. i was a bit naughty (because it's a naughty dish anyway, so i figure: if i'm gonna splurge, splurge BIG!) and used the bacon grease to sautee the garlic and the chicken in. it was so dang good! it does use several dishes to make it though so i wouldn't do it after work during the week. since it's so rich, i served it with fresh, tart plums and green grapes.
Looks delicious! Nettie
Thanks a lot!!
See I made it today and nailed it!
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php#!/story.php?story_fbid=1690853251146858&id=100006665987409
Made your recipe tonight. Used things left in the fridge after the holiday.WAS SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! Thank you