❤️ Introduction
This Creamy Chicken & Bacon Fusilli Pasta is the ultimate comforting, restaurant-quality meal you can easily make right at home! Spiral fusilli pasta catches every drop of the rich, glossy parmesan cream sauce, while tender seared chicken chunks and crispy bacon bits add savory perfection to every single bite. 🤤
🛒 Ingredients
- The Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450 g) Barilla fusilli (or rotini) pasta
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 8 oz bacon, chopped into small pieces
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Kraft grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Barilla fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- Crisp the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the chopped bacon. Cook, stirring frequently, until crispy and golden brown (matching the top-right panel). Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
- Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken chunks with salt and black pepper. In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Sear over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes until golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Build the Garlic Cream Sauce: In that same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Kraft grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely into a smooth, glossy cream sauce.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked fusilli pasta, seared chicken chunks, and most of the crispy bacon back into the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss everything gently to coat, using a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.
- Serve: Garnish with the remaining crispy bacon bits, fresh chopped parsley, and a crack of black pepper. Serve hot and enjoy the incredible cheese pull!
⭐ Tips for THE BEST Results
- 🥓 Rendered fat flavor: Using the bacon drippings to sear the chicken infuses the meat with a smoky, savory depth that takes this dish to the next level.
- 🧀 Gradual cheese melting: Stir in your grated parmesan over low heat so the cream sauce remains velvety smooth without splitting.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
- 🥖 Warm, buttery garlic bread or crusty French bread
- 🥗 A crisp Caesar salad or fresh garden salad with a bright vinaigrette
- 🥦 Steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus to balance the richness
🧊 Storage & Freezing
- Refrigerator: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore the creamy sauce consistency.
- Freezer: Freezing cream-based pasta dishes is not recommended because dairy sauces tend to separate and become grainy upon thawing. Enjoy fresh or from the fridge!
📋 Recipe Card
Barilla Fusilli + Chicken Chunks + Crispy Bacon + Heavy Cream + Parmesan Cheese = The ultimate creamy, comforting weeknight pasta! 🍗🥓🍝🔥