Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz Fettuccine or Penne pasta
- 2 large Chicken breasts, cubed
- 6 slices thick-cut Bacon, chopped
- 2 cups Broccoli florets, bite-sized
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for garnish)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente texture. During the last 3 minutes of the pasta’s cooking time, add the broccoli florets directly into the boiling pasta water. This blanches the broccoli to a perfect tender-crisp state. Drain the pasta and broccoli together, but remember to reserve about a half-cup of the starchy pasta water for the sauce later.
- While the pasta boils, place the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the bacon until it is crispy and golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon bits and set them aside on a paper towel, but keep about two tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pan. Season the cubed chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until it is golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside. In the same pan, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about one minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for 3-5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, chicken, and half of the crispy bacon back into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss everything gently to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed. Transfer the mixture to large bowls and top with the remaining crispy bacon, fresh parsley, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a tiny kick of heat. Serve immediately while it is steaming hot.
- Cook Time: 35 minutes