Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta with Bacon

I was looking for something to make that got veggies into the meal so that Chase wouldn't keep asking me to eat them as a side - then I found this recipe and we LOVE it.

I do need to give some warning though that this will use a lot of dishes. And probably all of your burners. You'll either need it to be cooked in segments or have someone help you.

Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta with Bacon
Ingredients:
1 lb. of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 Tbsp. of olive oil
Seasoning for chicken (whatever you normally like)
12 oz. penne pasta
1 lb. of asparagus, chopped into 2 in. segments, steamed
1 1/2 Tbsp of butter
2 Tbsp flour
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 3/4 cup of milk (I used 1%)**
1/4 cup of cream**
3 oz of Neufchatel cheese (you can find it by the cream cheese)
1/3 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
4-5 slices of bacon, cooked and cut or crumbled into small pieces

**If you want it a little creamier then add more cream, and less milk to add up to 2 cups**

Directions:
Make sure to steam the asparagus and cook the bacon before you've started the rest of this. This is why I always make Chase help me/use all of the burners because I run out of time and need to do it all at once.

Season the chicken on one side. Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add in chicken seasoned side down once the oil is hot. Season other side. Cook chicken all the way through, rotating as needed. Once chicken is cooked transfer it to a plate and let cool for a couple minutes then cut into bite-size pieces.

Cook pasta at the same time - make sure to save 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining - you'll use this later!

In a large skillet melt the butter. Add in minced garlic so it sautés a little bit (just until you can start to smell the garlic). Whisk in the flour and let it cook for about a minute. While whisking, slowly add in milk and cream. Whisking keeps clumps from forming. Once it reaches a boil and thickens turn the heat down to medium-low, add Neufchatel cheese and parmesan cheese until the cheeses are melted.

Add in the rest of the ingredients in order: pasta, chicken, asparagus, and bacon until it's all evenly coated. Add in the pasta water until it helps the sauce thicken as the pasta helps soak up the water. Serve immediately.


This made pretty good leftovers - although you have to eat it within a few days for the asparagus to stay good. It was great to make when we had another couple over for dinner.

Tastes even better than it looks promise.

                                     

Here are the dishes just from cooking if a visual helps haha. Definitely worth it though!

Loves, Jord

Recipe adapted from here.