Creamy Honey BBQ Chicken & Bacon Pasta with a Lemony Twist

Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts, diced

6 strips bacon, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup chopped spinach

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

8 oz pasta (penne or rotini work great)

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, for garnish

Grated Parmesan, for serving

Directions:

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet, add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving some of the bacon grease in the pan.

Add the garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Lower the heat to medium-low, then pour in the honey and BBQ sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Add the heavy cream and chicken broth to the sauce, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.

Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice, then return the chicken and bacon to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and spinach, tossing to coat everything in the creamy sauce.

Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and everything to heat through.

Serve with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 620 kcal | Servings: 4 servings