Description
Discover a creamy and flavorful Chicken Pasta Milano that combines tender chicken, smoky turkey bacon, and melty plant-based cheese into a quick and satisfying meal perfect for any night. This rich, comforting dish is easy to prepare in under 30 minutes and is ideal for pasta lovers seeking a delicious, family-friendly recipe with a smoky twist and versatile options.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, sliced into strips
Pasta and Dairy
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
- 1 cup plant-based cheese, shredded or sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream substitute (plant-based cream)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Condiments and Seasonings
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and slice the smoked turkey bacon into strips. Finely chop the onion and garlic. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crisp and fragrant. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet to cook the chicken.
- Sauté Aromatics and Chicken: Using the turkey bacon drippings, add the chopped onions and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onions are translucent and golden. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and black pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the plant-based heavy cream substitute along with a splash of apple cider vinegar and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer gently for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Fold in the plant-based cheese, stirring until melted and incorporated evenly.
- Combine Pasta and Finish: Return the crispy smoked turkey bacon strips to the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top before serving.
Notes
- Use warm pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick during cooking.
- Do not overcook the chicken; cook just until no longer pink to keep it juicy.
- Simmer the sauce gently on low heat without boiling to preserve the creamy texture.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust the consistency of the sauce as needed.
- Cook bacon separately to maintain its crisp texture before adding it back to the pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy pasta, turkey bacon pasta, plant-based cheese, quick dinner, family-friendly, Italian pasta, easy pasta recipe, dairy-free pasta
