Description
Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta with Bacon is a comforting and satisfying meal that combines tender chicken, sweet corn, and crispy bacon in a rich and velvety sauce.
Ingredients
- 10 ounce bow-tie pasta
- 1 1/2 pound chicken thighs or breasts, skinless, boneless
- 1 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (for chicken)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (for corn)
- 2 cup corn kernels, fresh, frozen or canned, drained
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for corn)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme, oregano, or marjoram) for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once it’s al dente, drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Season and Cook the Chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken with the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until it’s thoroughly cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Sauté the Corn: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoon of olive oil and the corn kernels. Season with 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika and 1 teaspoon of chili powder. Cook the corn over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s slightly toasted and aromatic, about 5-7 minutes. Remove about half of the corn and set it aside.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce: To the remaining corn in the skillet, add the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
5. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta and toss everything together to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. Gently stir in the reserved corn kernels.
6. Add Bacon and Garnish: Finally, stir in the chopped bacon. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as thyme, oregano, or marjoram. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
To ensure your Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta with Bacon turns out perfectly, here are a few tips:
Cook the Pasta Al Dente: Be careful not to overcook the pasta, as it will continue to absorb the sauce and become softer as it sits. Aim for al dente texture for the best results.
Sear the Chicken: Getting a nice sear on the chicken before adding it to the sauce will help lock in the juices and provide a delightful texture contrast.
Experiment with Spices: Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your taste by adding more or less smoked paprika, chili powder, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Garnish with Fresh Herbs: The addition of fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, or marjoram will add a burst of flavor and visual appeal to the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 150mg