Description
Creamy, savory Chicken Corn Pasta with crispy bacon combines tender chicken, sweet corn, and perfectly cooked pasta in a rich, comforting sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan meal is family-friendly, flexible, and ideal for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 4–6 strips of bacon
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
Pasta & Dairy
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
- 1 cup cream or milk (adjust for desired sauce thickness)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Oils & Seasonings
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried or fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, or basil)
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water, then set pasta aside. - Step 2: Prepare the Bacon
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon strips and cook for 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, then crumble into bite-sized pieces. - Step 3: Cook the Chicken
In the same skillet with bacon fat, add diced chicken seasoned with salt and pepper. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly browned. Transfer chicken to a plate. - Step 4: Sauté Aromatics and Corn
If needed, add olive oil or butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and chopped onions, cooking for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Stir in sweet corn and cook for another 3 minutes until heated and slightly caramelized. - Step 5: Make the Creamy Sauce
Lower the heat and pour in the cream or milk. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and herbs. Cook gently while stirring until the sauce thickens. Use reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. - Step 6: Combine and Serve
Return the cooked chicken and bacon crumbles to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and achieve a silky texture.
- Cook chicken and aromatics in bacon grease for added depth of flavor.
- Add fresh herbs just before serving to maintain their vibrant taste.
- Adjust cream or milk quantities to customize sauce thickness to your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Chicken pasta, creamy pasta, bacon pasta, corn pasta, quick dinner, comfort food, one-pan meal
