Description
A rich Italian dish combining tender chicken, penne pasta, and a velvety parmesan sauce. Slow-braised in turkey bacon fat for halal-friendly indulgence, with a 2-minute pasta soak for al dente texture. Lightly creamy and under 500 calories per serving.
Ingredients
1 pound diced boneless chicken breasts
4 slices turkey bacon (or 1 teaspoon smoked paprika for pork-free version)
1 pound penne pasta
1 cup heavy cream
Grated Parmesan cheese (unsalted)
Salt for pasta water
Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Bring 4 quarts salted water to rolling boil
Add pasta and cook 2 minutes
Drain pasta but reserve 2 tablespoons of pasta water
Heat 12-inch skillet over medium
Add turkey bacon and render until golden. Add chicken and sear for 5-7 minutes per side until golden
Stir in heavy cream and reduce by half. Add Parmesan cheese and cook 2-3 minutes until thickened
Return cooked pasta and reserved water to skillet
Mix in cooked chicken and bacon fat mixture
Transfer to serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley
Notes
For pork-free version: skip turkey bacon and add 1 tsp smoked paprika to sear mixture while browning chicken
Use rigatoni for chunkier bites
If avoiding dairy, substitute coconut cream for heavy cream but reduce to ½ cup
Storage: freeze sauce and pasta separately; thaw pasta then reheat in skillet with fresh cream as needed
Serving suggestion: use microgreens and lemon zest for garnish
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Easy Chicken Recipes
- Method: Stovetop Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg