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Creamy Chicken Bacon Pasta
by Karalyn Reddekopp
serves: 4
  Creamy cheesy pasta
Ingredients:
  5 slices   bacon
  1 lb   chicken breast, sliced
  to taste   salt and pepper
  2 1/2 tsp   Italian seasoning/dressing
  1 1/2 tsp   smoked paprika
  1/2 tsp   red chili flakes
  5 ounces   baby spinach
  5   small tomatos
  5 cloves   minced garlic
  1 1/2 cups   heavy cream
  2 cups   parmesan, shredded
  12 ounces   penne, cooked al dente
Directions:
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove, drain on a paper towel and chop. Drain grease from the pan and reserve.
2. Add 2 to 3 tbsp of the bacon grease back to the pan. In batches, so as not to crowd the pan, add the sliced chicken and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika and chili flakes. When the chicken is cooked and no longer pink, remove it from the pan and set aside. Continue cooking in batches until all the chicken is cooked and set aside.
3. Add the spinach and tomatoes to the skillet and cook until the spinach is wilted. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
4. Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook until thickened, then add the parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.
5. Add the cooked pasta, chicken and bacon back into the skillet. Stir to evenly mix.
6. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to absorb an thicken.
7. Serve with additional shredded parmesan and chili flakes, if desired.