Hello, hello – welcome to a new week!
We had a wonderful weekend chock-full of family time. I’m so sad it’s over! Lincoln’s baptism yesterday was absolutely beautiful. He behaved himself so well and even threw the pastor off when he looked up from his hymnal to see Lincoln grinning at the sound of his voice. So proud of my stoic little man!
My brother and sister-in-law served as his sponsors, and we couldn’t have been happier to have them up there with us (sorry to cut your head off, bro – shrink a few inches, why don’t ya’!) ; )
After the service we had a big brunch for Ben’s and my family. It was a full house, and a fun preview of family gatherings and holidays to come. Before we moved into our new place I was kind of a hosting grinch – there just wasn’t enough room to have more than a few people over. Now we can all spread out and run around. It is so much better!
Awkward family photo!
My in-laws and Ben’s brothers stayed with us this weekend to celebrate Lincoln’s big day, so Saturday afternoon I whipped up a huge pot of Chicken, Bacon, and Artichoke Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce for lunch.
This dish is the pasta version of one of my favorite pizzas with the same name from Papa Murphy’s (take ‘n’ bake, baby!) and it feeds a crowd. Chicken, bacon, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach are tossed with chewy pasta then smothered in a luscious creamy garlic and herb sauce. I’d say the taste is nearly identical!!
Start by cooking 12oz penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside. Easy.
Next, cook 1/4lb chopped bacon (4 slices, y’all) in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, then remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Remove all but 1 teaspoon bacon grease from the skillet. Don’t forget to use my easy bacon grease disposal trick!
Add 1lb chopped chicken breasts to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, then cook until no longer pink. Then add 1 can quartered artichoke hearts that have been drained and chopped up, and 1/4 cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes. Cook until the artichokes are heated through, 3-4 minutes.
Finally add 5oz fresh spinach (about half a bag of DOLE spinach) then toss with tongs until wilted, 1-2 minutes.
Oh yum!
K! Now, you can cook the chicken/artichoke mixture first then make the creamy garlic sauce second, or if you’re confident enough, you can do them both at the same time. You can do it!
In a skillet or saucepan, melt 2 Tablespoons butter in 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium heat, then add 4 cloves minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds. This may seem like a lot of fat, but remember, this recipe makes a TON of food.
Next sprinkle in 1/4 cup flour and whisk until smooth, then slowly stream in 1-1/2 cups each milk and chicken broth while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. I used 2% milk, but you could use whatever you’ve got in the fridge.
Season the sauce with salt and pepper then switch to a wooden spoon and stir frequently until thick and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
To finish ‘er off, add 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
Garliriffic!
Everybody into the pool! That is to say, combine the cooked pasta with chicken and artichoke mixture, the garlic cream sauce, and cooked bacon (mmm, bacon.)
Toss to combine, then scoop & serve!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
Chicken, Bacon, and Artichoke Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Description
Chicken, Bacon, and Artichoke Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce is the pasta version of one of my favorite pizzas. Garlicky and delicious!
Ingredients
- 12oz penne pasta, dry
- 1/4lb bacon (4 slices,) chopped
- 1lb chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- salt and pepper
- 1 can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1/4 cup julienned sun dried tomatoes
- 5oz baby spinach
- For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1-1/2 cups milk (I used 2%)
- 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
- salt and pepper
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water until al dente. Drain then set aside.
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate then discard all but 1 teaspoon bacon grease. Add chicken to the skillet then season with salt and pepper and saute until no longer pink. Add artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes then saute until warmed through, 3-4 minutes. Add spinach then flip with tongs until wilted, 1-2 minutes.
- Meanwhile melt butter in extra virgin olive oil in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic then saute for 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour then whisk until smooth and cook for 1 minute. Slowly stream in milk and chicken broth, whisking to avoid lumps. Season with salt and pepper then switch to a wooden spoon and stir until thick and bubbly, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat then stir in parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Combine pasta, chicken and artichoke mixture, sauce, and bacon then scoop and serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
So many mouthwatering flavors in this dish – where do I even begin? Well, bacon, first of all. But those pops of sweet from sun-dried tomato, and garlicky punch from the sauce are just Heaven. Hope you love this pasta, and have a great week!
Carrie 10.28.2013
Lincoln’s a Ben-mini me for sure. Pasta looks tasty.
3girls1apple 10.28.2013
Beautiful family pics and the pasta looks amazing. Sounds like a great meal. Thank you for sharing from 3girls1apple.com
Brooke 10.28.2013
Do you think almond milk would work? Can you omit the Parmesan and still have it taste good? Trying to make it dairy-free! :)
Christy 10.28.2013
I love that necklace! May I ask where you got it?
Iowa Girl Eats 10.28.2013
I THINK Express last season!
Aprille 10.28.2013
The pasta looks good, but I’m disappointed you’re still using/advertising Barilla. There are kinder choices!
Chelsea@TableForOne 10.28.2013
That is my absolute favorite pizza! The flavor combo is just killer. I bet that pasta was a big hit with the family. I also love that awkward family photo, Ha!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 10.28.2013
That looks so incredibly delicious!!
Dena 10.28.2013
The “awkward family photo” is priceless! <3
Alexe @ Keys to the Cucina 10.28.2013
That creamy garlic sauce looks bomb!
Elizabeth 10.28.2013
This sauce looks AMAZING. I cook mostly vegetarian, mostly because many of the people who help me eat my creations are vegetarians, so I’d probably put the sauce on a different kind of pasta. Or not, because I eat meat, so maybe I’d just hoard it all for myself. Or skip the pasta all together and just dip some bread in it.
Also, Lincoln is ADORABLE!!
Irene 10.28.2013
Wow he looks A LOT like you and is cute as a button!!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 10.28.2013
Lincoln starts to look more like Ben with every picture you post. Y’all are such an adorable little family!! I couldn’t help but laugh that your brothers head is being cut off in that pic. Sigh, tall people problems.
The sauce in this pasta sounds so yummy and I bet it’s perfect with spinach and artichokes.
Stephanie @ Plain Chicken 10.28.2013
Your photos are making my mouth water! Looks SO delicious.
erin @hooleywithaz 10.28.2013
this looks so warm and filling for a cold weeknight dinner. and congrats on the baptism, what a big weekend!
Nina @ Too Hottie or That Body 10.28.2013
A girl after my own heart! That pizza is my ultimate favorite I’m so excited to try this.
Erin | The Law Student's Wife 10.28.2013
What a gorgeous weekend, and extra high fives to Lincoln for his stellar behavior. You guys are such a beautiful family?
You know what is else is going to be less beautiful but also amazing? Me stuffing my face with the garlic-bacon-licious pasta!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven 10.28.2013
LOVE the family photos!!! :) Congratulations on Lincoln’s baptism!
And this pasta looks amazing. Love the vibrant photos!!
C. 10.28.2013
Ooh this looks delicious. I am obsessed with artichokes lately:)
Mallory 10.28.2013
Sounds like a wonderful day. I LOL’d at the awkward family photo! I’ll be adding this pasta to my meal plan for this week. YUM.
Jennifer 10.28.2013
Oh my!! Lincoln is super cute!!! Sophie the giraffe is the best!!! :)