Chicken Pasta Delight: A Step-by-Step Guide
This Chicken Pasta Delight is a scrumptious and savory meal featuring creamy textures and vibrant flavors, making it perfect for family dinners.
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 10 slices thick-cut bacon diced
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs boneless, skinless, cut into cubes
- 1 cup red bell pepper chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 5 cups vegetable broth low sodium
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese softened
- 15 ounces sun-dried tomato pesto 1 jar
- 12 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil chopped, divided
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 7-9 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate, reserving 1/4 cup for garnish. Discard excess grease.
- Add chicken to the skillet, season with garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until golden.
- Mix in red bell peppers and continue to sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Stir in pasta. Cover and reduce heat to simmer for 15-18 minutes until pasta is al dente.
- Fold in mascarpone cheese and sun-dried tomato pesto until the mixture is smooth.
- Mix in half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped bacon (excluding reserved), and 2 tablespoons of basil. Stir until well combined.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top, cover, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated mozzarella. Store leftovers in an airtight container and consume within 3 days. For reheating, add a splash of broth and warm over medium heat. Freezing is not recommended.