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Smoky Chicken Pasta with Cream Sauce

Creamy, flavorful, and super satisfying, this restaurant copycat is a dinner you'll make again and again.

One pan (plus a pot for the pasta 😉), tons of flavor, and a little spice make this an easy and satisfying dinner everyone will love.

skillet with creamy penne pasta.

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Budget-friendly. A complete meal in one (maybe add a salad), this super affordable but tastes like a restaurant dinner.
  • Smoky with a little touch of heat. Smoked paprika and bacon each add a smoky taste, and the cayenne is just enough.
  • Quick and easy! The meat and sauce are made in one skillet, and you can serve it right out of there too.

This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

ingredients on marble counter.

You’ll need the following for this simple + yummy dinner:

  • olive oil
  • salt
  • sugar
  • smoked paprika
  • cayenne pepper
  • chopped shallot
  • chicken broth divided
  • heavy cream
  • milk
  • flour
  • grated Parmesan
  • large saute pan or stock pot

🍴Instructions

Step One: cook the meats

bacon and chicken cooking.

In a very large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towels, crumble and set aside. Dispose of most of the bacon grease, but do not clean the pan.

 Heat the pan over medium-high and cook the chicken breast 3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Remove to a cutting board, cover with foil, and let rest while you prepare the sauce. (This is a good time to start cooking the penne.)

step two: make the sauce

3 process shots of making sauce.

Cook. the spices, onion, and garlic until softened. Yes, right in the same pan. Don’t worry, it will be lovely in the end.

Then add 1 cup of the chicken broth, the milk, and cream, and bring to a simmer. The sauce will start to thicken. Go ahead and slice the chicken while you’re waiting.

To help it thicken more, combine the flour and the remaining 1/4 cup of chicken broth and pour it into the sauce. Simmer for 3 minutes, and then add the parmesan. Stir until the cheese has completely melted.

skillet showing meat on top of pasta.

Pour the cooked pasta into the sauce, stir, and add the bacon, cooked chicken, additional parmesan and any herbs or fresh veggies you’d like. . Serve immediately.

🥫 Storage instructions

Store any leftover pasta in the fridge for 4 days.

🔍 FAQs

Can you reheat this pasta recipe?

Any pasta sauce with cream is best served immediately. But it can be reheated! Reheat in the microwave on low power, or on the stovetop over low. As the pasta warms, add a little milk and stir. It won’t be perfect, but it will still be good.

Can I put this in the freezer?

Alas, anything with cream does not freeze well at all.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

  • Do not overcook your pasta. It is ok if the pasta is on the firm side as it will continue to cook a little if added to the sauce.
  • For this recipe, it’s helpful to have everything pre-measured and chopped since it will move fast.
  • Use a pan that is large enough to hold all the sauce plus all the cooked pasta. I like a wide, deep sauté pan, but a large saucepan will work as well.

📘 Related Recipes

🍽 Serve it with

Any green salad will work well on the side of this meal

And of course, you must serve bread! This soft Italian bread recipe would be perfect.

An easy, creamy dessert like vanilla cream pie is just the right balance.

close up of pasta wirh creamy sauce.

📖 Here’s the recipe

smoky pasta with sliced chicken.
5 from 2 votes

Smoky Chicken Pasta {Firebird’s Chicken Pasta}

Print Recipe
Creamy, flavorful, and super satisfying, this restaurant copycat is a dinner you'll make again and again.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:50 minutes
Click here for a FREE autumn cookbook (25+ Recipes!)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cooked penne pasta
  • 1 pound chicken breast tenderloins or pounded thin
  • 6 slices bacon
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • tablespoons smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ¼ cup minced onion
  • 2 cups chicken broth divided
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan

To serve

  • Shredded parmesan
  • Chopped parsley or basil optional
  • Diced red onion or tomato optionl

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon. In a very large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towels, crumble and set aside. Dispose of most of the bacon grease, but do not clean the pan.
  • Cook the chicken. Heat the pan over medium-high and cook the chicken breast 3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Remove to a cutting board, cover with foil, and let rest while you prepare the sauce. (This is a good time to start cooking the penne.)
  • Cook the veggies and spices. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in the same large skillet.. Add the salt, sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne, and onion. Cook until the onion is translucent and softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook one minute more.
  • Add liquids. Add 1 cup of chicken broth, scraping the pan to incorporate all the seasonings. Add the cream and milk and simmer for 3-5 minutes, until the sauce reduces slightly. (Meanwhile, slice the cooked chicken)
  • Thicken sauce. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of chicken broth with the flour and add to the sauce to thicken it. Add the grated parmesan. Simmer over low heat while stirring until cheese is melted.
  • Assemble and serve. Pour the cooked pasta into the sauce, stir, and add the bacon, cooked chicken, additional parmesan and any herbs or fresh veggies you’d like. . Serve immediately.

Notes

The pasta will be a bit spicy as written. If you don’t like spicy food, reduce or eliminate the cayenne. (It’s still delicious.)
Nutritional info is for 1/6th of the recipe and does not include additional parmesan for garnish. 

Nutrition

Calories: 492kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 1863mg | Potassium: 505mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1749IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 242mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: pasta
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy dinner recipes, smoky chicken pasta
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 492kcal
Author: Katie Shaw
Did you make this recipe?If you loved it, please leave a review!

3 thoughts on “Smoky Chicken Pasta with Cream Sauce”

  1. 5 stars
    Made this for supper tonight – so good! The chicken came out tender and moist and everything was very flavorful together. Easy to put together even while I had multiple things going on. Added in some sautéed cubanelle peppers and topped off bowls with the bacon, chopped tomatoes, shaved parm , and fresh basil. A keeper! Thanks, Katie 😁

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