Bacon Spinach Chicken Pasta (in a creamy garlic sauce

• Meat

  • 6 Bacon strips, cooked
  • 1 lb Chicken breast, boneless

• Produce

  • 5 Garlic cloves
  • 1 cup Spinach, cooked
  • 4 Tomatoes, medium

• Pasta & Grains

  • 10 oz Penne pasta

• Baking & Spices

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tbsp Red pepper
  • 1 tsp Salt/pepper

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil

• Dairy

  • 1 1/3 cups Half and half
  • 1 3/4 cups Parmesan

Found on thecozycook.com

Description

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound boneless chicken breast
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (a combo of thyme, oregano, & basil)
• 1 teaspoon Salt/Pepper
• 4-5 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup cooked spinach (equal to 6 cups or 10 oz. of raw spinach)
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
• 6 bacon strips, cooked/drained/chopped
• 1 + ⅓ cups half and half
• 1 + ⅓ cups Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 10 oz. penne pasta
• ½ cup additional Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving

Directions

• In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium-high heat until warm.
• While the oil warms, prepare the chicken. If the chicken is very plump, slice it to about an inch thick. Season each side with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken in the skillet on each side for about a minute, then reduce heat to medium. Continue to cook, covered, for several minutes until no longer pink in the middle. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add the tomatoes, spinach, garlic, crushed red pepper, and half of the bacon. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, slice into thin strips and add to the skillet. Mix everything together until warm and combined.
• Cook penne according to package instructions.
• While pasta boils, add the half and half to the skillet and bring to a gentle boil.
• Add the 1 +1/3 cup Parmesan cheese to the boiling mixture and stir until cheese is melted and creates a creamy sauce (1-2 minutes). Remove the skillet from the heat and season with any additional crushed red pepper and/or salt if necessary. (Beware, the red pepper is spicy.)
• Drain the cooked pasta and mix into the creamy sauce. Top with remaining bacon crumbles, top with additional Parmesan cheese and serve!