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
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 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.
Jess
Can you use grated Parmesan instead of shredded parmesan?
Julia
It's best to use shredded Parmesan. It's even better to buy a block of Parmesan cheese, and shred it right before cooking.
Yvonne
One of my families favorite recipes! I've made it many times... Sometimes we do chicken, sometimes chicken AND shrimp! Sooo good!
Brittney
Do you use frozen broccoli or fresh?
Julia
I used fresh broccoli.
Tessa
I’ve made this recipe several times! SOOOOO GOOD. Tonight we’re substituting the chicken with shrimp! I can hardly wait for dinner! Thanks for the awesomeness!
Julia
Tessa, you are so welcome! I am so glad you made this many times! Shrimp will be so delicious with this recipe!
Arva
Thank you so very much for this recipe! I made this for my picky family of four and it was sooooo good! I came across it on Pinterest after calling my husband to ask what he wants for dinner. He said chicken Alfredo so I found this recipe and went to the grocery store on my way home. I have to admit that I bought a back up jar of Alfredo sauce but didn’t need it at all!!!! It is in the pantry since I cooked this recipe as is and my family devoured it!!! So good. I don’t ever want to loose this recipe. Thanks again.
Julia
Arva, you're very welcome! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe! It's always good to have a backup plan, so it's very smart that you bought a jar of Alfredo sauce just in case! 🙂
Rachelle meyers
Could you substitute the parmesan cheese for mozzarella cheese?
Julia
Yes, you can use either shredded Parmesan or shredded Mozzarella cheese - either works great!
Matthew Burg
I have made this dish for my wife a few times . She just loves it! She has asked me to make it for her for Mothers Day ! Thank You for sharing this .
Julia
I am so glad your wife has been enjoying this recipe and your cooking! You're very welcome! Enjoy!
ASHLEY GROSS
For my hard to please family, this was a HUGE hit. I made the recipe exactly as written and felt no need after the first batch to alter anything. It's perfect! I even got some requests from my husbands work buddies to send extra leftovers with him to work because it looks and smells so good! Thanks for such a quick, delicious dish!
Julia
Thank you, Ashley! So glad your family enjoyed this pasta dish! 🙂
Shannon
I am curious what you think about using shrimp here instead of chicken?
Julia
Shrimp will work great! Just be careful not to overcook the shrimp (it cooks really fast).
Terri de Peyrecave
I have never posted a comment on a recipe site before, but felt compelled to do so for this one. This recipe is fast, easy, and delicious! I am not the "food rotation" type of cook, preferring to try new recipes for each meal. My family jokes about me throwing out each recipe before we sit down to eat, lest I be tempted to repeat something. Well, my foodie husband, who also loves trying new things, raved about this alfredo and insisted I save the recipe, to add to my fictitious rotation. Though he is often complimentary, he has never done this before!
The recipe is perfect as is, but if you want variety, I found it is also delicious with carrots in place of broccoli, and using cajun or jerk seasoning to rub into the chicken breasts before browning, in place of salt and pepper.
Thank you Julia!
Julia
You're so welcome! Thank you for such an amazing comment! I am so glad you've enjoyed the recipe. I couldn't agree more with you about using cajun seasoning on chicken breasts before browning - I do that sometimes myself, too. And, yes, using carrots in place of broccoli is a great idea. I also like to use asparagus or spinach.
Julia Serad
It's my first time cooking this and good God, it's so delicious! Thanks!❤
Julia
You're very welcome! 🙂
Deb
De.li.cious!! Whole house loved it...a lot!,
Julia
So happy everyone liked it! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comment!
Yamilia
Ive made this twice now and both times it's come out absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing this one with us!
Julia
I am so glad to hear it! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Laura
My family loved it! I used asparagus in place of broccoli, it was delicious. I’m going to try shrimp next time. The sauce is simple and yummy! Thank you.
Julia
So glad you liked it! Yes, asparagus is delicious in this recipe, so is shrimp!
Erin
Hi, I was wondering what a serving size is for this recipe?
Julia
This recipe serves 4 people.
Tanya
This is a very good and simple recipe. I used Cajun seasoning and garlic salt to season my chicken. It gave it a little more flavor. I also used sweet potato fettuccine!! It tastes great!!
Julia
I am glad you liked it! Wow, sweet potato fettuccine sounds so delicious!