This creamy, indulgent Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta is a skillet full of comfort. It’s easy, only calls for a handful of ingredients, and is the perfect recipe for those busy weeknights.
I often refer to easy, quick weeknight meals like this Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta as the type of recipe you reach for when everyone is running in a hundred different directions. For us, those are usually school nights, but it’s not just when school is in session that we’re looking for easy recipes.
We’re pretty much always looking for things that we can get on the table without a lot of fuss and with ingredients we already have in the house. And, this decadent creamy chicken bacon pasta is always a hit!
You’d think that as a recipe developer, my family dinners would be complex and gourmet, but as the old saying goes… “the cobbler’s children have no shoes.” And, we are busy just like any other family. So, quick meals that utilize only one pan, dish, pot, or skillet are perfect! If you want a little more rounded meal, you can easily throw together a premixed salad and heat up some frozen garlic bread. Yum!
This chicken pasta recipe is just that – simple, quick, delicious, and minimal dishwashing required. As a matter of fact, the total time it takes to make this delicious complete meal is only 35 minutes.
And fun fact, it makes for great leftovers. Just put it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and enjoy for lunch the next day with a little heating in the microwave or over the stovetop!
Ingredient FAQs
Spaghetti – I much prefer spaghetti pasta for the noodles in this dish, but you could also use a bowtie or penne pasta. It’s important to remember to only cook the pasta to al dente. It will continue to cook a bit once it’s out of the boiling water and can soften even more once it’s added to the sauce. And, be sure to not rinse your pasta in this recipe. Keeping the starch on the pasta will help the sauce to stick to the spaghetti.
Thick-Cut Bacon – I love adding thick-cut, smoked bacon to this pasta dish. It gives the sauce a noticeable smokiness and tons of flavor. Regular-cut bacon will work, as well. You just might need a few more pieces to get enough fat to cook everything else.
Bacon Fat – You’ll need 2 to 3 tablespoons of bacon grease/fat. Using the rendered fat from your now crispy bacon to sear the chicken helps us carry that flavor throughout the dish.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – You will want 1 pound of this chicken cut into 1-inch cubes. Be sure not to crowd the pan with the chicken. You want to get a nice sear on the chicken and get it golden brown to add even more flavor. If you are in a major rush, you can substitute precooked rotisserie chicken but keep in mind, this will affect the flavor a bit.
Minced Garlic – I’m partial to fresh minced garlic. I’ve just never been able to replicate the flavor with a garlic powder or jarred minced garlic.
Chicken Broth – Any brand chicken broth will do. You could even use the low sodium chicken broth, but be aware it may affect the flavor a tiny bit.
Milk – I like to use whole milk because it provides richness to the flavor, and it helps make the sauce a nice creamy consistency. Readers have mentioned using heavy cream as well.
Cream Cheese – I recommend cutting your cream cheese into cubes so that it melts more easily into the sauce. And while I normally am a huge fan of using generic or store brands, I really feel like the full-fat Philadelphia brand melts the best and gives the creamy sauce in this dish the best texture.
Grated Parmesan Cheese – Feel free to grab the pre-grated parmesan cheese for this recipe and save yourself a little time on this step.
Salt and Black Pepper – I know some hate the vagueness of the phrase “add salt and pepper to taste,” but it’s really the only way to do it. Different cheeses will have different salt amounts and based on the amount of salt and pepper you put on the chicken, you might not need any more at all. Just taste it.
Recipe Card
Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package spaghetti
- 5 slices thick cut bacon
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente, according to the package instructions, and set aside.
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, keeping the bacon drippings in the pan. Crumble and set aside.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear in the bacon grease over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 2 to 4 minutes on each side or until brown. Work in batches if necessary to prevent crowding the pan. Remove chicken from pan using tongs or a slotted spoon to allow bacon grease to remain in the pan. Place chicken on a plate. Set aside.
- Lower the heat to low and add the minced garlic. Cook in the bacon grease until fragrant – just about 1 minute – being cautious not to burn the garlic. Add the chicken broth and milk. Stir to combine. Add the cream cheese and cover the pan. Cook for a few minutes or until cream cheese is nearly melted. Use a whisk to combine the sauce. Finally, add parmesan cheese to the pan and whisk together. Simmer, uncovered, over low heat until sauce thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste. Return chicken and crumbled bacon to the pan along with the pasta and toss together. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Tessa
We’ve made this several times, and my fiance and I love it! We actually roast spaghetti squash and put that in instead of spaghetti noodles and love it. Still an indulgent dish. It does take a while to thicken up, so I’m thinking of using half n half next time I make it.
Glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it and thanks for the tip on spaghetti squash!
Tammy
It needs more seasoning it’s very bland I even put Italian seasoning on the chicken and added extra cheese it was ok
Seasoning, in general, is always a guideline. That’s why I don’t include specific amounts. And in this case, the exact bacon you use will have an effect on the end flavor so seasoning amounts will vary.
chris
Very good. Added a 1/2. Tsp of ground nutmeg.
Glad you enjoyed it, Chris!
Missy
Taste great, but the sauce never thickened. I didnt use whole milk but 2%, and even added another 1/2c of parmesan cheese.
Hate to hear it didn’t thicken up. The fattier milk will certainly help with that. About how long did you cook it?
Chaos in the kitchen
My 11 year old son (who wants to grow up to be a chef) and I made this tonight. It’s absolutely delish. I would probably use Heavy cream next go around, but honestly, with the 2% lactaid I had on hand, it was absolutely delicious and left little to be desired. I also used Orecchiette pasta because it’s my absolute favorite so I use it for just about everything I can. 10/10 recipe. Everyone loved it! Thank you for posting a recipe that isn’t so complex a non cook and her aspiring cook can make and feel like superstars in the kitchen with.
Hearing that you loved the recipe is the best compliment. Thanks for sharing!
Ileana
Such a great recipe! I modified it and added crema mexicana, mushrooms and broccoli. Also added a tiny bit of mozzarella to the served plate and it was a creamy melty goodness ❤️ I’m only sorry I took pictures of leftovers which we will gladly eat again tomorrow 😋
It looks great! So glad to hear y’all enjoyed it!
Betty Bayley
My Grandies love this and always request I make it for them. Easy to make and v enjoyable.
Thanks so much, Betty! Love hearing things like this!
MJ
Someone tell me what I did wrong – sauce is brown and very watery.
We’ll need a little more info to help. Did you make any changes or additions to the recipe?
Jayde
Too watery but good
If it was watery, you just didn’t reduce the sauce down enough. Adding to the cook time will allow for more evaporation and that will thicken the sauce.
Linda
Great dish, made it this evening with a few minor modifications.
Thanks, Linda!
Venetia Erickson
Oh man was this good! I like the cream substitution for the milk. I used bucatini (fat spaghetti with a hole in the center)in place of regular spaghetti. And topped with
fresh ground smoked black pepper. So good.
Sounds great! So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Cynthia
Loved this recipe, but wish I would’ve use whipping cream instead of milk…. To me it wasn’t thick enough with the milk, but it was still very very good…I would make it again…
Glad you enjoyed it!
Kimm Finch
I made this tonight for my husband and myself. Was very very good!!! After reading the reviews I decided to use heavy whipping cream instead of milk. Served over thin spaghetti noodles and had a nice side salad. Will definitely make again.
Awesome! Thank you, Kimm!
Scott
Made this and family loved it. Substituted pecorino romano, heavy cream and added peas. Mushrooms would have been a great addition and will add them next time
Sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed this pasta!
Rebecca
So good
Thanks!!
Holly
I had to give this recipe 5 stars! We made this for dinner over 5 months ago and we have been making it once a month for friends and family. The only thing we did different was instead of the 5 slices of bacon we use a pound! It is so doggone good! My other half tells everyone he knows about this dish and your website we enjoy all of your recipes and content! Btw, neither one of us has high cholesterol so that pound of bacon is well worth it! Sorry, I didn’t add a photo!
Extra bacon is NEVER a bad idea! So glad y’all have enjoyed this one and gotten some serious use out of it, Holly!
DESIREE LYNN LEFAN
This is an amazing recipe!!! I used a different type of noodle but other than that followed the recipe perfectly! I’ll definitely be making this again… loved it!
Dang that looks great, Desiree!! So glad you enjoyed it!
Roberta
I had leftover spaghetti and used it in this recipe. It was delicious. I put some fresh cut rosemary in the bacon grease before the chicken. Took out the rosemary and cooked the chicken. Took out the chicken and added fresh cut brussel sprouts and asparagus and browned. Took out the veggies and made the sauce. I used a 4 cheese blend in the sauce. It had Asiago, Fontina, Parmesan, and Provolone. When the sauce was ready I added everything back and mixed. It was delicious. This one is a keeper.
Sounds amazing!
Annette
Making this as a keto dish substituting cauliflower rice instead of the pasta! You outdid yourself , Stacey, once again. This is a winner. Thanks
Ha! Thanks so much!!
Lee Nielsen
Wow, this is definitely delicious. I subbed heavy cream for the milk and it came out fine.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Crystal
Delicious! I made this my own by changing out pasta for spaghetti squash, used boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breast and used heavy cream instead of milk. IT.WAS.DELICIOUS!!!
Crystal
Forgot pic
It looks perfect, Crystal!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!!
Alfred
Sauce was quite bland and the dish was quite bland. I think half the pasta would be good, also, add seasonings. It was a filling meal. But ended up shredding and throwing in a pound of Parmesan and a good 2 table spoons of some Puckets all purpose seasoning as well as cooking up an extra 10 pieces of bacon to chop mix in. Could only taste the sauce and pasta.
Season to taste is always my mantra. But just so I’m clear, you added a pound of parmesan and 10 strips of bacon?
Jaya Hays
This recipe was really good, although I do think that the sauce was a little bland and could have used a little spice. Other than that, this recipe was really easy and fun to do. I would definitely make it agin.
Glad you enjoyed it, Jaya! Feel free to add some extra seasoning next time.
Katie
Made it tonight for dinner and it was a total hit!!! I just added more cheese and seasoned the chicken with garlic and herbs seasoning
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Lettie Viars
Absolutely delicious. Quick easy and a Light good Dinner. Thank you for posting. Family loved it.
So glad y’all enjoyed it, Lettie!
Brenda Cattuzzo
Stacey, this looks so good !!! What do you think I could cut this recipe, for the Cream Cheese Bacon Chicken Pasta in 1/2 and freeze the other 1/2 for another meal?? There are only 3 of us. 😊
Thank you! I’m just not sure how well this would freeze, but you could certainly cut it in half and make a smaller portion.
Melinda Albrecht
This was delicious, filled my family of 5 up.
Glad the whole crew enjoyed it!
Claudia Chatham
This was sort-of a lot of work, but it was really good. My entire family liked it. That almost never happens. The sauce was a bit runny, buy I think I used too much chicken broth and milk. I will be sure to measure them next time, and see if I can get a better result. We will for sure have this again.
Glad everyone enjoyed it!
JJ Moody
Delicious recipes… I was hesitant with the sauce being thin but I added some extra cheese and once I added the noodles it thickened up! Also added some Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes! Thank you for sharing, will be making this again🤗
Glad it turned out great for you! Thanks for trusting the process.
Al
Do you think you could make the sauce and then let it thicken in the crockpot? Then mix in the noodles right before you’re ready to serve?
Hmmm. I just can’t say for sure, Al. Theres a chance it might breakdown with the extended time on the head of the crock pot, but since I haven’t tested it, I just can’t be positive about it.
Lynne
Don’t tell him it’s got cream cheese; he probably won’t notice, since it melts into the sauce and combines with the other stuff; also, sour cream would make a thinner sauce.
Pearl
Hi Stacey… My daughter made this for me, it was Delicious 😋
Glad you enjoyed it!
Jillian
Yummmmm. I added quarter cup of chopped onions sautéed with the garlic, and about 2 table spoons of lemon juice with red pepper flakes and at the last 2 minutes I added 1 cup of frozen peas. DELICIOUS
Glad you enjoyed it!
Stacey Jolley
I added some rosemary and thyme to the chicken when I cooked it. I also added broccoli to the final product. Yum
Sounds great!
Kelli
My son hates cream cheese. I’m wondering could this.be made with 8oz sour cream instead?
I think it would work, the flavor will be quite different though.
Jen
I came across this recipe while searching for a new chicken dish. So happy I did! It was delicious. My 12 year old son loved it so much he had it for dinner, then ate the leftovers the next day and asked for me to make it again the following night! Thank you!
That’s awesome, Jen! I’m so glad to hear your son liked it so much!
Sarah
It was very easy I used garlic salt & pepper ,onion powder , cayenne powder, for the chicken and the sauce . It was a hit !
Glad to hear it turned out great for you!
Melanie
Recipe seems simple enough but the sauce is taking sooo long to thicken. I hope it does so I can try it out. I’m practically boiling it and still nothing.
Tiffany Lacy
I agree with you. The sauce took much much longer to thicken than this recipe recommends.
So sorry Melanie! How did it turn out?
Kelly Kunkel
Quick and easy for a dad to cook after work thank you tastes great will make again
Thank you so much Kelly!
AlexMac
Holy Cow poop on a cracker!!! I just made this, and the stove eye hasn’t even had a chance to cool down yet, and it’s already half gone. Man this Is so good!!!!
Ha! It looks absolutely perfect! So glad opt hear you enjoyed it!
Tammy G
Easy, delicious pasta recipe. I substituted almond milk because that’s what was in the fridge. Added about 1/3 cup more parmesan because the milk was not thickening as I think dairy milk would have. Otherwise, followed recipe as written. It was yummy and satisfying. I will add this to my family favorites recipe collection. Thanks!
Can never go wrong with more cheese!
Kim
This sounds delicious. We don’t keep milk in the house, do you think I could use half and half instead?
It might be a little rich, but I think it would work just fine!
Courtney Mac
Oddly enough, my teen does not like pasta- do you think I could substitute and combine with rice instead?
I don’t see why not!
Joanna
I made this about a week ago, delicious! I will fit this into my rotation for pasta recipes, my husband LOVED this dish. Thank you for the recipe!
Joanna, so glad he loved it! Hope it was enjoyable for you to make as well!
Liz Baumann
Made this two days ago. Very tasty. Going to have the leftovers tonight (we don’t have a 13-year old boy to feed, but oh, I do remember those days). Made it pretty much just the way you shared it, except that I was out of spaghetti so I used rotini instead. Worked well, as the spirals collected the sauce very nicely. I will be adding this to my keeper notebook for sure!
Heather and I LOVE thick, short pasta but Jack prefers thin. I bet this was great with rotini!
Jennifer
The flavor of the bacon is permeated through the whole dish. I could eat this all day!
Perfect! Glad it turned out great for you!
Julia Marple
Devine! I didn’t change a thing. Took longer than 25 minutes, though.
Awesome! So glad to hear that! About how long did it take for you?
Becky Klepper
Made this spaghetti recipe last Sunday, love it and can’t wait till I go to my daughters in October to make it for her, she is allergic to tomatoes, will be perfect for her.
Oh I’m so glad you liked it!
Tish Brown
I’m making this for dinner guests Friday. Can you recommend any sides or salads that would complement the dish?
A fresh salad, roasted green beans, or another fresh green side are usually what we serve it with.
Marilyn
Pretty good recipe. I made some adjustments to mines due to food allergies. I use turkey bacon and gluten free fettuccine pasta. I use chicken thighs cause that what I had in refrigerator. I also add spinach. I just wish my sauce came out a little more thick but again good recipe.
Thank you
Ruth Eggert
Hi many comments about the sauce not being thick enough…maybe cut back on the milk? I make something similiar…just saute onions and ham or fry up some bacon…and drain…and keep some bacon fat to fry onions, the add some drained pasta…I used spagetti….the pour some half and half over and let warm…turn off burner and add some grated parmeasan…as much as you like…I mic some frozen peas and add…this is it!! Put as much half and half in as you like…thiner or thicker…the parmeasan will thicken it…do not rinse your pasta…It is great w/ham or bacon but chicken would probably be great too…could season the chicken with cajun…I always add a few pepper flakes…to the above also!
Great tips!
Cynthia Martin
I’m so happy I found you and your recipes. Can’t wait to try it😇
We’re so glad you’re here!
Patsy Brown
Hello Stacey,
My son is diabetic and has lost 95 pounds since finding out and he does not eat sugar and carbs at all. Do you have any recipes for chicken without carbs? He loves Chicken and could eat it every day, but I have run out of thoughts for making chicken recipes. Sounds so bland to me to not have carbs.
Really enjoy all your recipes.
Sylvia
Hi Stacey……just curious, have you sent out an email with pics of your new home and test kitchen? If so, I guess I missed the email (don’t do Facebook or any other social media). By the way, this recipe sounds delicious.
Sylvia from Monroeville
Hi Sylvia! I was actually just working on photos of the house today! I hope to have them out next week to share.
No you haven’t missed it! We actually just finished photos this weekend and will hopefully have them out this week!
Charleen
This looks good. My daughter would make it for supper one night. I am more of a red sauce kind of girl,but this just sounds delicious! Missing Sunday Supper. When will you start it again? I am so happy you are moved in to your lovely new home and test kitchen. I think everyone should have a test kitchen. I think of it as a summer kitchen. God bless you and yours.
Thanks so much, Charleen! As we’re finally getting settled in the new space, I do hope to start Sunday Supper back up very soon!
Marsha
I wished the recipes had the calorie counts. I know they are high, not complaining, just trying to fit in how much & often to fix & eat.😊
This is a GREAT nutritional calculator. You can simply drop the web address in and it will calculate it for you… https://my.whisk.com/nutrition-calculator
Lynne
It’s not there any more
They moved it. Try this one: https://whisk.com/recipe-nutrition-calculator/
Amy Proctor
I don’t see the amount of parmesan cheese to add at the end. Can’t wait to try this one.
Oh no! So sorry! I’m not sure how we missed that. I’ve updated the recipe. It’s 1/2 cup of grated parmesan.
Jewels
Use a keto-friendly pasta and change the milk for heavy cream and you’ve got the perfect keto pasta recipe. Trying it tonight.
Absolutely! Hope it turned out great for you!