Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Tuscan Chicken Pasta

I'm a total sucker for those super quick recipe videos on Facebook and I couldn't get this one out of my head after I saw it.  I whipped it up on Friday after a particularly "trying" week and it was the perfect comfort food.



- Here's What You'll Need -
12 oz angel hair pasta
- olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 3 cubs baby spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup (plus more!) freshly grated Parmesan


- Step 1 -

Cook and drain the pasta.  Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later.

While the pasta is cooking, heat up the olive oil (I just poured some in there) in a pan.  Season both sides of the chicken breasts in kosher salt and pepper and then pop them in the pan.  The original recipe said to cook them 4 mins on each side and they would be done... but that was NOT the case for me.  I ended up using scissors to cut it up into smaller pieces (I use kitchen scissors for EVERYTHING!) and it cooked WAY better that way.




- Step 2 -
Cook 6 pieces of bacon in another skillet (I used a dutch oven) and then drain off half the fat.  I hate cooking bacon - but this recipe is worth it - promise!




- Step 3 -
Pour in 2 cups diced tomatoes (I had leftover grape tomatoes so I used those and then added in a can as well), 2 cloves of garlic, 3 cups of baby spinach, the heavy cream, 1/2 cup of pasta water and Parmesan.  Let it simmer for a few minutes or until the spinach starts to wilt a bit.  (It will seem thin... but it'll be okay!)







- Step 4 -
Pour the pasta into the sauce, stir it together, top with the bacon (chopped), chicken and a little extra Parmesan and serve!



A couple of notes...

- You could EASILY use the pre-grilled chicken strips you get at Trader Joe's for this... but I'd probably warm them up in a pan with some salt, pepper and garlic beforehand - but if you're in a hurry that would be an easy way to cut down on the prep time. 

- You could add more "stuff" depending on your tastes.  Dave has already requested more bacon and spinach the next time I make this.  



Y'all! This was SO GOOD!!!  At first I didn't think there was going to be enough sauce... but the flavor was GREAT and there was plenty of sauce without it being too much.  Dave and I both LOVED it and the kids chowed down as well (with the spinach picked out - ugh!).  It was JUST as good as leftovers - which can be tricky with a creamy pasta - but it didn't separate when I reheated it and the flavors may have even been a bit better the next day.

I hope y'all enjoy this recipe as much as we did!  Happy Wednesday, friends!

34 comments :

  1. Replies
    1. Girl! I'm making it for you WHEN YOU GET BACK WITH YOUR BABY GIRL!!!!!

      Delete
  2. This looks straight out of a restaurant! Yum!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is going on my to make list very soon!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I also use kitchen for everything. They are so handy!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You had me at angel hair! Yum!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You can cook bacon in the oven and it is yummy!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's how I normally cook it - but since I needed the bacon grease I couldn't do that this time ;(

      Delete
  7. I just copied the recipe, and I will be making it very soon. Looks and sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for sharing! I cook my bacon in the oven atop parchment paper on a cookie sheet, you put it in an unheated oven for around 20 minutes at 375. This has been a life saver for me and the bacon comes out perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's how I normally cook it - but since I needed the bacon grease I couldn't do that this time ;(

      Delete
  9. Any suggestions on making this recipe sans tomatoes? Looks amazing! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd just throw in more spinach! And maybe some other veggie(s) that you enjoy like mushrooms or yellow/red pepper.

      Delete
  10. Putting this on the list to make next week! What brand of kitchen scissors do you use?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just regular scissors from the dollar store. hahaha

      Delete
  11. I hate cooking bacon on the stove, too, so we bought a microwaveable bacon pan and we ALWAYS cook ours in the microwave now. It is a total game changer! And I actually like the way the bacon turns out much better. The pan has drains so the bacon isn't nearly as greasy. This one right here is similar to ours: https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Solutions-Microwave-Bacon-Grill/dp/B00IQKES1I/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1493831635&sr=8-5&keywords=bacon+microwave+tray

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yep!! DInner is planned. Sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your insta-story on Friday made my mouth drool. This looks so good. Pinning it for dinner soon! xoxo ERIN

    ReplyDelete
  14. This looks so yummy! Definitely going to make it next week. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you!!! And it tastes even better!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Going on next week's menu! Looks delicious:).

    ReplyDelete
  17. Made this last night for dinner- so quick, easy and absolutely delicious! People were already arguing over who gets the leftovers for lunch! :)

    I made the recipe exactly (using half baby tomatoes plus a can of chopped)but subbed in beef macon due to pork allergies and I cubed the chicken and sprinkled it with some chicken spice before frying it up . Yummy!!!

    Happy weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I seasoned the chicken with pesto and omitted the garlic, used asparagus instead of spinach - AWESOME! I know it's pasta and cream, but hey losing the butter counts for something right??? Will be making this dish again and again...

    ReplyDelete
  19. Looks great! Will try !
    I , too never fry bacon. Cook in microwave on a bacon cooker or in the oven! So much easier!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Do you think this would still be good w/o the bacon grease? Maybe adding a little more cream & reserved pasta water?

    ReplyDelete
  21. I made this for my people last night and it was a HUGE hit!! All 3 of my kiddos loved it. I really figured I would get complaints about the spinach being in there but everyone ate it.

    ReplyDelete

Blog design by Get Polished | Copyright 2016