Description
A comforting and creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, rich ricotta cheese, and a medley of flavorful seasonings. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy
Ingredients
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1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
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4 cloves garlic, crushed
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1–2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 pound rotini pasta (or your choice of pasta)
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2 cups reserved pasta water
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2 tablespoons lemon juice
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1 tablespoon lemon zest
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4 strips bacon, chopped
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2 cups spinach (optional)
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Fresh parsley, basil, or oregano for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water before draining.
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While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
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In the same skillet, add chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove and set aside.
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In the rendered bacon fat, sauté crushed garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
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Add ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the skillet. Stir to combine, adding reserved pasta water gradually until the desired sauce consistency is reached.
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Slice the cooked chicken and add it to the skillet along with the cooked pasta. Toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
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If using spinach, stir it in at this point and cook until wilted.
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Serve the pasta garnished with crispy bacon and fresh herbs of your choice.
Notes
For a lighter version, consider using low-fat ricotta cheese.
Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for added flavor.
This dish pairs well with a crisp white wine, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, ricotta pasta, weeknight dinner, Italian pasta dish, chicken and pasta