This creamy chicken and bacon pasta dish is comfort food to the max! Packed full of flavour and easy to make, it’s one for the whole family to enjoy.
I make this pasta dish with leftover roast chicken, and it’s a brilliant way of using up smaller amounts of meat.
I must say here that I don’t tend to like pasta and chicken together – I think it’s a textural thing – but they work so beautifully in this recipe. Give it a go!
Looking for more ways to use your roast dinner leftovers? Why not try:
- Chicken: Leftover Roast Chicken, Leek and Mushroom Filo Pie, Chicken Nacho Salad, Chicken and Pea Risotto, Chicken and Lentil Soup
- Beef: Leftover Beef Cottage Pie, Warm Beef and Lentil Salad
- Ham: Leftover Ham Pie, Leek and Ham Pasta, Turkey and Ham Lasagne
- Lamb: Leftover Lamb Shepherds Pie
- Duck: Hoisin Duck Stir Fry, Duck Fried Rice
The Ingredients
- Bacon – I use nice good quality smoked bacon lardons. You can use smoked or unsmoked bacon.
- Onion – use a large brown onion.
- Chicken – leftover roast chicken is ideal – just shred the meat or cut it into bite size pieces. You can use as much or as little chicken as you have left, use the recipe as a guide. If you don’t have leftover chicken and still want to make this, roast a couple of chicken breasts in the oven – see the top tips below.
- White wine – you could switch for chicken stock.
- Double cream – double cream is better than single cream for that really rich, delicious taste.
- Thyme – fresh is best.
- Parmesan – or any hard Italian cheese.
- Pasta – any shape will work here. I used rigatoni.
Top Tips
- Get ahead The sauce can be made up to a week in advance – store in the fridge and reheat thoroughly before tossing with pasta.
- Make it a bake When you have tossed the pasta and sauce, tip into an oven proof dish and top with cheese (cheddar or mozzarella work well). Bake in the oven or put under the grill until bubbling and golden.
Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta
Delicious creamy chicken and bacon pasta made with leftover roast chicken.
Ingredients
- 160 grams bacon lardons
- 1 onion
- 400 grams cooked chicken
- 150 ml white wine
- 300 ml double cream
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 40 grams Parmesan
- 300 grams pasta
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water according to packet instructions. Drain and leave to one side.
- Meanwhile, put the bacon in a large pan over a medium heat. Cook until golden.
- Peel and finely dice the onion. Add to the pan with the bacon and cook for another minute.
- Tip in the chicken – cook for 3 minutes then pour in the wine. Allow to reduce by half.
- Turn down the heat and add the cream, thyme and Parmesan. Bring to a simmer. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Toss with the pasta and serve immediately.
More creamy pasta recipes:
- Creamy Courgette Pasta
- Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake
- Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta
- Chicken Schnitzel With Mushroom Pasta
- Chorizo and Halloumi Pasta
- 15 Minute Garlic Mushroom Pasta
Love this recipe? Why not take a look at these 22+ of the Best Creamy Pasta Recipes.
